herceptin after chemo

[mimi]

one question: my mom was diagnosed with b/c, stage IIb, 8 nodes +, er/pr+, her2neu+, grade 3 last year. she finished 4 a/c, 4 taxol last november. i was wondering if anyone has seen anything or can give some advice as to whether or not she would benefit from getting herceptin now, or if there is even a trial she could get into. she is only her2neu+, but she had so many nodes + and such a high grade. or have you heard anything else that has been helpful in similar cases?
she is going for her yearly scans and meet with the onc. this thursday (my birthday).
thanks in advance.

[imported_Joe]

Mimi,
I would certainly discuss this with her oncologist. I am confused by your statment that Mom is "only her2neu+".. Which test was used IHC or FISH and what were the results?

Regards
Joe

[jessica]

Hey Mimi,
You've clearly been doing your homework & really thinking like an advocate. Good for you! Power is knowledge.
I'm pretty sure that Tumor Grade is independent of Her2 status. Just like Her2 status is independent of Hormone Receptor Pos or Neg.
Even though Her2 tumors are typically high grade, it's Her2 status & ultimately the presence of the Her2 oncogene/receptors, regardless of grade, that the Herceptin indetifies & binds to & blocks the "grow grow grow" signal. For example, it wouldn't be truly helpful to be on Tamoxifen unless you are truly ER+/PR+.
Hopefully they did a FISH test to determine your mom's Her2 status.
Good luck & I hope this info is helpful.