HER-2/neu+++ & BRCA1-mutation
Hi, Debbie -
Thanks for posting this poll.
Yes, I was in a double-blind genetic counseling/testing research project 10 years ago, before I knew anything about my HER-2/neu status, and I tested positive for carrying one of the "Heritage Panel" (Ashkenazic Jewish heritage) mutations on the BRCA1 chromosome.
Then, some 5-6 years later, when dx'd with bcmets, the bc biopsy indicated the majority of cancer cells were strongly HER-2/neu expressive.
There's been a discussion on another support group list where I participate, that most HER-2/neu+++ patients with bc are triple negative (ER-/PR-/HER-2/neu not overexpressed). If that is truly the case, I'm one of the outliers in the stats. And I must say that in this decade of Herceptin, which has been highly effective for me (neck-down) for going-on 5 years, I'm really glad to have that option!
(((hugs)))
Sandy in Silicon Valley
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1992 - age 44/ ER-/PR+ Stage II dx - mastectomy, CAF x 6 cycles; Tamoxifen
1997 - BRCA1 mutation dx'd
1998 - ovaries removed
1999 - off Tamoxifen, on Arimidex
2003 - dx'd Stage IV - lymph nodes & lungs. ER-/PR-/HER2neu+++.
Tx: Herceptin & Taxotere (6 cycles).
2005 - 2.9cm x 3.6cm brain tumor. Craniotomy, CyberKnife. 9 mo. staph aureus infection at incision site - 2nd craniotomy. Two small brain mets CyberKnife'd.
2006 - revisit Xeloda - dosage lowered to 2500mg/day, 5 cycles.
2007 - "spot" dx'd on qtrly brain MRI - same location as CyberKnife 7/05. > by 2-4mm per quarter - - radiation injury or re-growing cancer? Tykerb added to Herceptin - July, still "watching & waiting". Otherwise, fully functional...
"The majority of people are not only afraid of holding a wrong opinion, they are afraid of holding an opinion alone." Kierkegaard
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