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Old 04-18-2013, 10:45 AM   #21
daughter_1
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Re: Tykerb-Only Treatment

Hi Lovey,

Thanks for the response! That is encouraging to know and this is the first other case I've heard of other than my mother. I spoke to the clinical research team at Roche today and they said that the company advises the physician to discontinue Herceptin in case of any confirmation of interstitial pneumonitis. Would you be able to post some more details of the pulmonary toxicity that you experienced? What were your signs and symptoms like? Any information would help. Also, would you be able to throw some light on why your onco preferred 4 cycles of Tykerb+Xeloda over a Tykerb monotherapy?

Here are details from my mother's recent hospitalization:

Jan 2013: 12 Taxol+Herceptin cycles started
Feb 6th: Tachychardia with minor pericardial effusion noted
Mar 20th: Low grade fever 99F (Last dose of Taxol+Herceptin completed)
Mar 28th: Hospitalized for increased fever
Mar 30th: Lung CT shows ground glass appearance and Onco suspects drug induced Pulmonary toxicity. ABG PaO2 56, Saturation at 94% with 4liter oxygen, temperature of 103F. Onco starts her on treatment for pneumonitis (Septran DS), Flucanozole and Steroids (Prednisolone 40mg)
Apr 1st: BAL performed and all cultures negative. Onco increases steroids (Prednisolone 60mg)
Apr 3rd: CT lungs show reduction of ground glass appearance, minor bilateral pleural effusions noted
Apr 4th: Apr 12th she recovers, is off oxygen and discharged
Apr 15th: Scans, Xrays show clear lungs, no effusions.
Apr 25th: Radiation to begin


Dx:
Lump detected in early September 2012
Modified radical mastectomy with axilliary node removal - performed on 21st September 2012
T2N2, Grade 3, HER-2 +++
4AC Cycles started Oct 10th 2012
12 Taxol+Herceptin cycles completed Mar 20th
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Old 04-19-2013, 02:15 AM   #22
lovey
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Re: Tykerb-Only Treatment

Hi daughter 1,
I had a long story but will try to make it short. I did dose densed AC for 2 cycle but I developed heart toxicity ( troponin test +), my oncologist stopped that to avoid further damage as I will need good cardiac function for herceptin. Then I was given TCH for 2 cycles. I became breathless even doing mild exertion and having central chest pain . I was hospitalized and my CT thorax shows extensive consolidation. I was put on strong IV antibiotics for 2 weeks and since my throat culture positive for candida , I was also given IV fluconazole for 2 weeks. However my breathlessness got worse so I had broncoscopy and biopsy which shows interstitial pneumonitis. Subsequently, I was given steroid infusion for 3 days followed by high dose oral steroid, my lungs function got better n better and I was able to stop prednisolone after 1&1/2 years. My oncologist suggested tykerb/xeloda since I didn't complete my AC and TCH and my cancer was grade3. I agreed to it since my doctor refused to give me radiotherapy in view of severity of my lungs condition. I hope your mum will have a fast recovery in her lung function, it takes time but it gets better...
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Old 04-20-2013, 11:56 AM   #23
daughter_1
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Re: Tykerb-Only Treatment

Hi Lovey - Sounds like you had an extreme and quick reaction. So sorry to hear about the fibrosity, hope it gets better over the years! However, it is very encouraging to know that Tykerb/Xeloda worked for you.
Will keep you posted on how my mum's treatment goes...
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