Maybe, but...
Hi, Kate -
My onc just returned from SABC with some other info about Tykerb. Latest research shows it only 28% effective in elongating the time-to-progression of both existing, and newly-emerging, brain mets.
I think that's why you, and I, are on the drug, no?
My onc also said that there's some more research being done on Herceptin + Tykerb, w/ and w/o Xeloda, but the data isn't in as yet.
I'm thinking of going off the Tykerb if my next set of brain scans (MRI and MRS) don't support staying on it. The side effects are just too nasty on my QOL (severe diarrhea every 3 days or so, acne & itching - especially inside my nose!, and seemingly a lowered immune system & more vulnerability to assorted infections) to merit staying on it for the "what if" factor.
(((hugs))) & good seeing you on the bcmets list as well!
Sandy
__________________
1992 - age 44/ ER-/PR+ Stage II dx - mastectomy, CAF x 6 cycles; Tamoxifen
1997 - BRCA1 mutation dx'd
1998 - ovaries removed
1999 - off Tamoxifen, on Arimidex
2003 - dx'd Stage IV - lymph nodes & lungs. ER-/PR-/HER2neu+++.
Tx: Herceptin & Taxotere (6 cycles).
2005 - 2.9cm x 3.6cm brain tumor. Craniotomy, CyberKnife. 9 mo. staph aureus infection at incision site - 2nd craniotomy. Two small brain mets CyberKnife'd.
2006 - revisit Xeloda - dosage lowered to 2500mg/day, 5 cycles.
2007 - "spot" dx'd on qtrly brain MRI - same location as CyberKnife 7/05. > by 2-4mm per quarter - - radiation injury or re-growing cancer? Tykerb added to Herceptin - July, still "watching & waiting". Otherwise, fully functional...
"The majority of people are not only afraid of holding a wrong opinion, they are afraid of holding an opinion alone." Kierkegaard
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