Need information on early stage adjuvant herceptin

Hi,

I just heard about the approval for herceptin for early stage disease. I just saw my oncologist in Aug. and he informed me that I only had a 4mm invasive her2+++ and that I did not require further treatment with Herceptin. I was diagnosed and treated with chemotherapy in 2002. He said that since I was node negative or consider node negative because my first lymph node only had a micrometatsis-less than 2mm big, I did not need Herceptin treatment. Additionally, he said my risk of reoccurence was so low due to only a 4mm her2+ invasive that I did not need Herceptin. Further, he said the risks out weigh the benefit in a case like mine. I trusted him in Aug. and put Herceptin out of my mind, believing that he would know since he is a breast oncologist at the esteemed Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Again, he considers me node negative with very small invasive her2+ disease and does not feel I need the Herceptin. So at this point I am still inclined to listen to him. However, I do worry at times if indeed I should be taking Herceptin.

If anyone is in this particular boat with very early stage disease that is node negative, and has been informed that Herceptin is indicated, please let me know and the reasons why.

Thanks,
Marie

My disease particulars
dx. 2002 with 4mm invasive her2+, 1 sentinel node + for less 2mm rest of nodes clean.
tx. masectomy with 6 months of CMF
NED since

Also I just pulled off the below critera from the Herceptin after adjuvant chemotherapy in Her2 positive bc. trail which is listed below. It appears that I do fall out of the criteria as my node was not positive by traditional standards. Again, only a micrometatsis and my invasive was less than 1 cm.


The hormone-receptor status of the tumor was determined and the tumor tissue was accessible for central review. Eligible patients had node-positive disease (irrespective of pathological tumor size) or node-negative disease (including only a negative sentinel node) if on pathological examination the tumor size was larger than 1 cm.


Marie

[uma]

Marie (Guest)
To arrive at a decision in your case is very simple. All you have to do is get a Bayer Her2 serum test done. Your score in that test should decide if you need Herceptin or not. For more on that test, please visit Gina's excellent descriptions of it. You can access all the postings of Gina from the the Member's list.

You have nothing to worry, as far as I can see from my experience of adjuvant Herceptin for Her2.
Uma

[Petesmom]

Hi Marie,

I had a 7mm IDC ER+/HER+++ back in March of this year. This was a recurrence (last cancer was in 1998, same breast, IDC 8mm, ER+/HER-, no nodal involvement). My onc said basically the same thing as yours...that the risk of recurrence was very low and the risks of doing chemo outweighed the benefit. I had a mastectomy and my ovaries removed so that I could take Arimidex instead of Tamoxifen. He did say that with those of us presenting with small tumors, no nodes but also having adverse factors such as HER+++ can make it a tough call as to what our options are. Right now, I am quite comfortable with my treatment plan. You just need to really look over your options and decide, along with your doctor, what is best for you.

Good luck,

Petesmom

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for your kind and helpful information. I will check my serum her2- I appreciate that suggestion. Also, thanks for your gentle responses and scarring me that I haven' had Herceptin yet.

Marie

Thank you for NOT scarring me ladies. Excuse me for forgetting teh NOT.

Marie

[suzan w]

my dx: invasive lobular, bilateral mastectomy in June 2005-7mm tumor, node neg., her2+, ER+,PR+...all scans neg (bone, CAT). had oncotype DX test done and it showed me at a high intermediate risk for recurrence. Onc. recommended 6 rounds of AC (had many side effects so only did 4) and am now on herceptin every 3 weeks, and Arimidex as well daily. The results of the oncotype DX persuaded me to do the chemo and herceptin.

[RobinP]

marie is Robin P- sorry folks reluctant to use real name Robin at first.