Mastectomy for HER2 +ve metastasis breast cancer.
 

Hi All,

After my mother's initial diagnosis of metastasis breast cancer(Lungs alone) in March, she had undergone 4 chemo cycles (Paclitaxel and trastuzumab)so far, and she in due with PET-CT scan this week to evaluate the response of the so far treatment. Our MO mentioned if there is good response and tumors in lungs were disappeared they will perform breast surgery (mastectomy).Also, they mentioned if there was no complete response (i.e tumors left in lungs but pretty good response) they will continue with the 4 chemo as curative intent but with different chemo drug and perform PET and decide on the mastectomy after.

I wanted to know from you all about mastectomy in metastasis stage,

In general, after how many cycles of chemo(after 3 months or 6 months) from initial diagnosis of mastectomy can be done?. I agree this will be performed only after finding good response.

Your experiences please,


Thanks All

Re: Mastectomy for HER2 +ve metastasis breast cancer.
 

Hi Koushik, Oncology treatment can continue for years and years. I have a friend who was diagnosed with metastatic Her2+ breast cancer in 2014, with tumors in liver, lungs and bone. She has been on ongoing regular treatment every 2 weeks since then, first just herceptin. This cleared out the tumors in liver and lungs completely. She was kept on that as long as possible. But when the cancer began regrowth she was switched onto Kadcyla every two weeks (which is chemo attached to a targeted treatment) for several years, and has side effects but is very effective.
What tumours does she have in her breasts? are they not being affected by the chemo/targeted treatment? I do know a woman who had the tumor in her breast vanish completely, then it returned 5 years later in the same place. With more oncology, it was again vanishing. She decided to have surgery to remove the last bit rather than let it vanish again, so she could feel confident it was gone from her body this time.
I have not heard of anyone with metastatic Breast Cancer having mastectomies, because it is systemic, and I am not sure what advantage there would be to have her breasts removed at that point.