Herceptin stopped

Topaz · 03-20-2007, 01:05 PM

I was diagnosed with HER 2+ with 2 microscopic cells in sentinal node in 2006. I had 6 cycles of CAF chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Started 3 weekly infusions of Herceptin and then my oncologist bluntly told me that my heart function was deteriorating and Herceptin had to stop after only 7 infusions. I asked her if it could be started again if my heart improved after a rest and she flatly refused saying it wasn't worth the risk to my heart. I am pretty devastated. It feels like another blow after I had just began to recover from the initial shock of being diagnosed with BC. As you may have gathered I live in England and the treatment here seem to be very different from the USA.

Does anyone have any reassuring information about my chances with no more herceptin.

Topaz

Malena · 03-20-2007, 05:25 PM

I have your same problem, I had to stop herceptin and now I feel like having no other chances to fight against the cancer! I found this wonderful site looking for more information about HER2 positive cancer!

kalogria · 03-21-2007, 06:08 AM

I don't know much about Tykerb / Lapatinab yet and I don't know if it is also cardiotoxic but I don't believe so. It could be worth discussing this with your oncs.

Topaz - I don't think this drug yet has a licence in the Uk but there are trials ongoing or your onc may be able to obtain some for you.
Best wishes

MJo · 03-21-2007, 06:19 AM

Two or seven Herceptins is better than none.
Topaz -- Did you get seven infusions every three weeks? If so you got the equiv of 21 weekly infusions, which is 5 months worth. There is a clinical trial in Europe going on with 5000 women, which hopes to prove that six montsh of Herc. is as effective as 12 months.

Malena -- you sure reacted fast to Herceptin. Could it have something to do with the dose, or the way it was administered? (P.S. I am italian-american with grandparents from abruzze - teramo and collelongo . My niece just spent a semester studying music (oboe) in Milan. )

Topaz · 03-21-2007, 04:02 PM

Thank you to everyone who replied. I will try to be positive although it is sometimes very hard and as MJo said 7 Herceptins is better than none especially when looking at the European study.

Thank you once again

Topaz