herceptin indefinitely for early stage?

10-22-2005, 07:26 PM

As a stage 3 patient, I feel very fortunate that I was able to get herceptin for one year after primary treatment. As the year comes to a close, however, I am worried about what I should/can do next. Are there any women here receiving long-term herceptin (>1yr or indefinitely) for early stage bc? Any comments/feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

athena453 · 10-22-2005, 08:12 PM

Great question, I am in a similar situation. I asked my onc about staying on herceptin for more than a year; pending HERA trial results. She felt that it ulimately would have been more beneficial to compare one year of herceptin folling initial dx with a shorter time frame...six months, for example.

Julie2 · 10-22-2005, 10:07 PM

I am in the similar situation and really want to stay atleast one more year on Herceptin. My one year will be over in march 2005. Are there anybody getting more than one year? I know Barbara is getting for the 2nd year.

Julie

Kim in DC · 10-23-2005, 06:05 AM

My onc and I decided to continue untill the Hera trial results are announced next May. She is very conservative and I am surprised she even suggested it. I was stage III and I started Herceptin 8/04 in combination with chemo.

Kim

10-23-2005, 10:58 AM

Ladies,
I'am early stage(1c), and will be doing two yrs. I was surprised my onc. prescribed this, but was grateful too. When the two yrs. is up it will depend on the European studies, but he did mention there is a possibility I could be on it indefinately. I'am going to U of M in Michigan. Hope this helps.
Michelle

10-23-2005, 02:13 PM

Julie2
Why did they give you xeloda if you are stage 3? I am stage 3 also and did not get xeloda. I thought it was for stage 4.
And also i'm another stage 3 gal that is wondering if i should try to push for another year of Herceptin. I got one year with a study

Sheryl · 12-28-2005, 09:22 AM

I was surprised to read that a stage 1c person was given Herceptin. The latest study in Helsinki, Finland compared one year of Herceptin with 9 wks. of Herceptin & after three years follow-up, there seemed to be little difference in the outcome. Is anyone receiving less than l yr.of Herceptin at this time? Sheryl