New research on herceptin?

DancerDonna · 12-20-2010, 07:28 PM

I was diagnosed with HER2neu +breast cancer the 2nd time in June. The first time was five years ago, +++; this time the tumor was only 1 mm so the lab could diagnose it as HER2neu but didn't know how strongly +. The first tumor was strongly + for estrogen and progesterone; the 2nd negative for progesterone and only 5% + for estrogen.

I can only hope I have no positive lymph nodes. I wanted repeat sentinel node biopsy, but only got the technia injection the day before mastectomy. The general surgeon doing the mastectomy skipped the blue dye injection because my plastic surgeon asked her to in the OR. He expressed a concern for the risk of necrosis in my transplanted tissue for reconstruction.

I just got a port again today. My oncologist's plan is for herceptin for only 6 months. I would like to take it for a year again. Does anyone know of recent research or data to support a year of herceptin? If a positive node had been identified, I'd be taking it for a year as well as 3 months of taxatere.

Please post if you know of supporting research or data. Thanks!!

Jackie07 · 12-20-2010, 09:46 PM

DancerDonna,

How unfortunate that you've found a recurrence! How fortunate the recurrence was caught so early at just 1mm! I'm farely sure your initial treatment had helped to avert a more complicated situation.

Have you got a compression sleeve and glove? I got a bug bite during chemo for the recurrence in 2007 and the 'cellulitis' caused lymphedema. I've been wearing them daily.

The only thing I can offer is that even at 5% ER +, Tamoxifen or an AI is still indicated after chemo. That was the '2nd opinion' I had received from my 2nd Sister-in-law's breast oncologist back in 2009-2010 before my hysterectomy/oophorectomy.

Sending you good vibes.

DancerDonna · 12-21-2010, 12:11 AM

Thanks for the good vibes, Jackie. I had a mammogram and the radiologist recommended it be repeated in 6 mo. instead of a year because he saw a small patch of fatty necrosis. I asked for a biopsy the next day. The radiologist said he wanted me to be able to sleep the next 6 mo. I told him I wasn't thinking about sleep; I was thinking I could have metastatic cancer in 6 mo.

The biopsy actually obliterated the 1 mm tumor; no more of it was found by the lab in my breast. But one surgical oncologist I saw when I was doc shopping (I had DIEP reconstruction in Memphis; Nashville doesn't have any DIEP plastic surgeons.) told me he'd done one mastectomy in which a woman had a 2 mm tumor, but 4 positive lymph nodes.

I am still taking arimadex, an aromotase inhibitor, from the first occurrence. Yes, I have sleeves and also gloves. I've had lymphedema since a year after the first occurrence. I lost only three lymph nodes with a sentinel node biopsy, but my nipple started leaking seroma 10 months after my lumpectomy. A month later, the breast had an infection. One month after that, I had lymphedema in both my arm and hand.

In addition to wearing a sleeve and glove, I also have a Reid sleeve for night wear. It has about a dozen velcro straps on it and came with a gauge to reset them. Wearing it is similar to the type of wrap that a lymphedema physical therapist will do to help control swelling.

Best wishes and blessings to you.

DancerDonna · 12-25-2010, 06:01 PM

I asked for help from forum participants if anyone knew of new research in support of herceptin for small HER2 + tumors without known + lymph nodes. I didn't hear of this from anyone, but found some support myself. This is an article from BreastCancer.org The abstract is listed: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatmen.../20101129b.jsp

Merry Christmas!!