Is brain mets more likely with the er- women?

anyone know?

[MCS]

anyone knows of brain mets even with stage 0 or 1?


thanks

MCS

brain mets can happen with any stage. I do know of a survivor who began as stage 1, and reoccured to the brain 1 yr. later. That was seven months ago, and appears to be doing well now.

Yes, in both her-2 women with metastatic breast cancer
(source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...83&query_hl=14)
and in er- women in general: (sources, among others
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...65&query_hl=14
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...05&query_hl=14)

Apparently this was first recognized way back in 1981!

Well shit!

[kristen]

I couldn't agree more

just one more stat-- stacked against me !
C

[StephN]

OK, ok, let's get a Grip here! These stats are on Stage IV patients who have progressive disease. You need to find stats from women on adjuvent Herceptin who never progress. Might be tough as the chapter is still being written, but there are updates published from time to time. There will be far fewer incidents of brain mets for these women, I am confident.

The following snippet from one of the above-referenced studies is ACTUALLY GOOD NEWS:

Trastuzumab is highly effective (has worked well for a number of us on this board) for the treatment of liver and lung metastasis in HER2 overexpressing patients, while it is apparently ineffective for treating or preventing BM. Since one third of HER2 overexpressing patients with MBC developed BM despite effective trastuzumab treatment, new treatment strategies and closer surveillance may be warranted for these patients.

I recall finding some of these studies when I was looking (at all hours of the night when the Decadron was keeping me awake!) for info on how I should proceed/what to expect when I got my brain mets dx this past January. I am also hormone neg/neg and high grade.

The best news is that we have some new drugs that should be on the market by next year that will cross the blood-brain barrier and shut down met-causing cells running around in our grey matter.
I am waiting to take those myself!!

[Tami]

thanks Steph!


Tami

[mamacze]

Dear Steph,
Ever the voice of reason, good sense and hope; thank you for adjusting the antennae here!
Love,
Kim from CT

[Christine]

Hi Ladies
Brain metastases usually is at higher sisk at stages 3b or stage 4. Hormone status being + or - is not an indicator. The fact is that all breast cancer has a grade, the higher the grade the higher the risk. , and the longer we live the higher the risk. Having her2 also incresess the risk;however early treatment with herceptin may prevent all this from happening. We are now starting to recognize our weaknesses and our strengths. With the help of adjuvant herceptin therapy, many may be saved from brain invasion. Many of the recently dxed patients with her2+ BC are taking herceptin for a year hoping to avoid a relapse.
We do however, advise you to ask your onc to for a routine Brain MRI, especially if you are stage 3 or 4, w/ or w/o Symptoms It is important to get an early DX.
Hope this helps to answer your ???'s. My warm well wishes to you all
Higs, Christine

[MCS]

Steph,

what's the name of the new drug in the market next yeat for the blood-brain met.

another stat against me

i hate cancer.

thanks all

MCS

[StephN]

what's the name of the new drug in the market next yeat for the blood-brain met.

Lapatinib is a new drug that is in trial now that does cross into the brain and works something like Herceptin. Just a smaller molecule that will penetrate that barrier. Some women who post here are on this now.

another stat against me

Does the above info make you feel any better? We have to come to look at this disease as a manageable thing. I know this is not so easy, especially in younger women who have so many years to look forward to of fighting.

i hate cancer.

So do I! That is why I could not resist ordering one of those CANCER SUCKS shirts that Joe gave us the website for. Can't wait to wear it!