Cancer spreading either th' blood or lymph..but the difference?

fullofbeans · 10-26-2009, 04:19 AM

Hi there,

I was wondering if someone knows whether there is a difference between blood spread cancer and lymph nodes one..

I had no lymph node deseased but ended up having liver mets.. I am wondering if that could mean something..is your cancer more susceptible to your immune system for example. I know that stage 4 with no lymph node is uncommun and would like to hear from those in the same position perhaps to compare notes..

margiermc · 10-26-2009, 06:16 AM

Hi, I posted my story last night DCIS to Stage 4

8/8/08 - I had DCIS, no invasive cancer - does not spread, according to the dr.
9/2/08 - Lumpectomy - lymph nodes clear
10/14/08 - I went to hospital - pain, liver mets. Cancer (invasive) cells left the breast, in the blood stream and went to the liver.
Dr. was not checking my body, I had no lymph node involvement. and DCIS is very early stage 0.
From 10/08-1/09 I had 6 rounds of chemo, tx, carb., her.
Now I fly every month from Tampa, Florida - to Seattle -
Vaccine - NED, I feel fine.

It is thought that the over expression of her2 in the body is from a low immune system. I'm not sure if lymph node or bloodstream has to do with this. It could have been the agressive cells that were somewhere in the DCIS that left through the vascular system.

My post said, back in the 1980's or earlier there was an oncologist,
I do not know his name, my doctor does, believed that a mastectomy was the way to remove the breast and avoid cancer cells going in the blood stream.

There are two ways cancer spreads, lymph nodes and the vascular system in the breast. Removing the whole breast - this theory was
believed to avoid the spread of cancer.

Later, dr's leaned toward a lumpectomy and saving the breast.
This is what I was told, I had these questions, because I caught mine early in the breast - and now it surprised everyone in the liver.

My scans, bloodwork, liver enzymes are very normal.
I am getting a vaccine.
Dr. Salazar said, I am doing fabulous.

The reason I post this info. is to help other women out there, the vaccination is a trip for me 9 hours of flight each way - I hope this
is what all women need, I am like the ladies on herceptin in the Living Proof movie. I feel like a pioneer. I have been NED for 9 months. This vaccination, is an option to help me and future women.

Although, I have received some response to my post that think
my recovery was too quick.

My family wants to now see me be active, like walk, enjoy life, eat well, my doctor claims - I am a miracle. I WISH THE BEST FOR ALL OF YOU. Some of the response to my post - made me rather,
upset - I must admit. I am risking my own health for this vaccination, which will be entering phase III - for all women. I hope you appreciate it in the future. Just like the ones that took Herceptin on trial, I thank you and very grateful to the Dr. Slamon.

fullofbeans · 10-26-2009, 07:27 AM

Thanks for reply Margiermc,

For me a very interesting fact about your response is "

It is thought that the over expression of her2 in the body is from a low immune system. "

I have never heard that and would love to know more about it where did you get that info, ref..??

margiermc · 10-26-2009, 07:39 AM

I am in the vaccine with Dr. Salazar in Washington.
Her2 - is an overexpression, the immune system gets low and out comes the diseases. We are given at birth
2 copies of her2. All of us, men as well. When the immune system gets compensated, the expression of
her2 gene makes more copies, this is the cancer.

The vaccine is suppose to build the immune system and
supress the her2 gene, therefore, when it recognizes a cancer cell it stops it from growing into a tumor.

Much like the new vaccine for cervical cancer for young girls.

We hope it works, but this is the theory. It targets the her2 cell, just like herceptin works.

Anyone on this vaccine, questions, I'm on it - last one in november, yah

fullofbeans · 10-26-2009, 08:14 AM

You say "When the immune system gets compensated, the expression of
her2 gene makes more copies, this is the cancer."

Where did you read that (REFERENCE)?

I am a scientist and I am quite aware of what Her-2 overexpression is. However I have never heard that Her-2 overexpression was linked to a defficiency in the immune system which is what you are implying.

What I am asking is references to this statement, as a scientist I can only rely on referenced statement (this site is pretty good at this).

I would be very interested to know if this is backed up by scientific research or simply your thoughts on it. Many thanks.

PS: the Seattle vaccine targets cells with massive overexpression of Her2 (But all cells have Her2, especially in the heart hence muga scan check). I would not think that the vaccine works at all like the HPV vaccine, since the basis is to prevent HPV, since HPV was proven to cause the cancer.

Cal-Gal · 10-26-2009, 09:06 AM

Does the bloodstream reference refer to LVI?

Lymph-vascular invasion vs. Lymph node invasion??

margiermc · 10-26-2009, 10:11 AM

My reference is a 4 hr. consultation (private) with my doctor in Seattle, i am just sharing some knowledge I
learn along the way - nothing its full proof, its believed that the vaccine helps build the immune system.
This is really all I will say - if, you need more info., you can contact the Tumor Vaccine Group in Washington.
If anyone has been through this vaccine please contact me - Im interested in your side effects, etc., so far just pain in my arm.