HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Does radiation makes the tumor not responsive to chemo?

Joan M · 09-05-2011, 05:40 AM

Julie,

I'm sorry about your insurance difficulties. That's a problem in the U.S., unfortunately. Insurance companies telling doctors how to treat patients.

It's possible to remove the mammary node via surgery and perhaps the lung mets as well (with a wedge resection). I had a friend with one mammary node with cancer. First she was given chemo. The cancer went away, but then came back. Then the node was radiated. The cancer went away again, and then came back. Finally it was removed by surgery, and then never came back.

The lung mets might also be eradicated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). That is, burned out. I had this done and the met never came back. Ask your onc about this, but when he says, no, go directly to an interventional radiologist for their opinion (but I'm glad he's thinking of other options, like Gamma Knife. As most oncs don't. So he sounds somewhat open minded). That doctor would be the one most able to tell you whether the procedure is possible in your case. I don't know where you live, but go to a major cancer center or a hospital with a large cancer unit. If you want, I could PM you on a top radiologist at a major cancer institute for feedback. You would be able to send him a CD of the scan.

If the mets could be removed it might lessen the tumor load and allow chemo could work better. I hope you're still taking Herceptin.

Joan

09-05-2011, 05:40 AM	#3
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: Does radiation makes the tumor not responsive to chemo? Julie, I'm sorry about your insurance difficulties. That's a problem in the U.S., unfortunately. Insurance companies telling doctors how to treat patients. It's possible to remove the mammary node via surgery and perhaps the lung mets as well (with a wedge resection). I had a friend with one mammary node with cancer. First she was given chemo. The cancer went away, but then came back. Then the node was radiated. The cancer went away again, and then came back. Finally it was removed by surgery, and then never came back. The lung mets might also be eradicated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). That is, burned out. I had this done and the met never came back. Ask your onc about this, but when he says, no, go directly to an interventional radiologist for their opinion (but I'm glad he's thinking of other options, like Gamma Knife. As most oncs don't. So he sounds somewhat open minded). That doctor would be the one most able to tell you whether the procedure is possible in your case. I don't know where you live, but go to a major cancer center or a hospital with a large cancer unit. If you want, I could PM you on a top radiologist at a major cancer institute for feedback. You would be able to send him a CD of the scan. If the mets could be removed it might lessen the tumor load and allow chemo could work better. I hope you're still taking Herceptin. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!! Last edited by Joan M; 09-05-2011 at 05:49 AM..