BC ER-, PR-, HER2NEU-

Hello all,

I was told I was HER2NEU Post., just found out that that is wrong I am really Her2Negative. My stats are as follows:
ER-, PR-, HER2-, Ki-67 60% (whatever that is?) premenapausal, 50 yrs. old, 3 cm infiltrated ductual carsinoma, total of 6 cm removed with lumpectomy on Dec. 1, 2004, no nodes involved, and clear margins. My treatments are as follows, Dose Dense every 14 days of Adromyicin, Cytoxin with Krtril (Aloxi) Decadron, Ativan & Emend. Emend continues for days 2 3 & 4 after chemo 2 x's daily, warafin daily. My Oncol. had wanted me to take taxol's since he said I had an abnormal gene of HER2 Post., but when I spoke to my Radiolgy Oncol. he looked up my paperwork and said no Annie you are HER2Neg. and he didn t see the reason to take the additional treatment of Taxene's. So if anyone out there has any information on this pls. send :). I am totally confused now. My last session of A & C is to be on Monday Feb. 21, 2005. I am PRAYING that this is my last and I won't need to do the Taxenes.
Many prayers, many hugs and many thanks to you all.
Annie S.

I am really trying to find out if I should go with the Taxol for 2 cycles or the AC for 2 more treatments altho I was told that I have all the AC that is allowed (240) - please if someone can look at my previous posting maybe you can give me ur thoughts of what to do? I have another 12 days before having to say YES or NO. I want so much to be done with the chemo, but I don;t want to not choose the right choice. So, if anyone out here or dr. can email me at AESLINY@AOL.COM and help me out I'd be so so grateful.
Sincerely
<3 Annie S.

Annie,
If you've been following the posts you will come to the conclusion that this is an unpredictable and insidious disease. If it were me, I would bite the bullet and go with 4 cycles of taxol, radiation and be done with it. I would never under-comprimise the chemo options.
My main concern would be: why the difference in HER2 evaluation? Did you get a FISH? I would find out 100% what your HER2 status is, as you might be a candidate for herceptin.
Good Luck,
Ak

yes it is def. that I am her2neu negative thru the fish. My oncol. for some reason did not have this information. And or he never properly reviewed it and assumed I was postitive. If I did not call my Rad. Oncol. then I would have gone thru 2 months dose dense of taxol to find out that negative HER2 women don t respond to or that they don t have the answers as to yet if they respond. Yesterday I completed my AC of cycles and did well on them, now I am terrified that I have to choose another choice even with negative on the HER2.
Thank you for your help. :))

Another question for you. If I am her2neg. why or how does herceptin help me? I read that you need to be postitive her2 to have it work.

Annie,
You are correct ,herceptin will not help you if you are HER2 negative. In terms of the Taxol , if you flew through the AC. Taxol should be a breeze.

Good luck ,
Al

[Lolly]

Annie, it's not easy making a decision like this, we've all been there. Why not get a 2nd opinion from another onc, that may help in your decision. I am ER/PR- but Her2 positive, and was postmenopausal when diagnosed. I had 4 A/C AND 4 Taxol plus 33 rads, and recurred anyway, but I was Stage IIIB and Her2+. I do think another opinion will help you. Good luck with your treatments.

Love, Lolly