MUGA from 68 to 55, stop Herceptin?
 

Hi Amazing Group,

My first MUGA before AC regimen was 68, after AC but before Herceptin it fell only to 66, but now after Herceptin for 3 months it has dropped to 55. The way I read it, that is over 10 points so when I see my oncologist tomorrow I am assuming she will tell me to take a Herceptin vacation.

Is this correct?????? I don't want to end up with permanent heart damage, kind of defeats the purpose of getting healthy and cancer free. I really wasn't expecting this - it truly is asymptomatic - I have resumed my workout at the gym and was a little fatigued, but I thought it was due to the rads - only 3 left!

I would really appreciate any input on this I can get before I see the oncologist tomorrow - thanks!

Best to you all!

Donna

Donna,

I started Herceptin with a LVEF of 74. After 7 treatments, it is down to 60, totally asymptomatic. After 5 treatments, it was down to 64, my onc ordered another MUGA and said as long as it came back "normal" he would keep going. I asked my internist about the scores, and he said I was still in the high normal range for a person my age. I value his opinion and felt better short term, but I, too have reservations about beating cancer yet winding up with a heart problem. CHF has an even worse prognosis than mbc, believe it or not. If he wants to keep going this week, I am asking about involving a cardiologist. I am willling to put faith in the FinnHer study and the positive results after 9 weeks of Herceptin at this point.

Good luck to you tommorrow.

Hopeful

If this helps...
 

Lisa's onc stopped trusting MUGA's and started ordering EEG's. He says they are much more accurate.

Love and Light
Mel

Donna,

I started in the high 60's also, and am now in the low 50's, but still considered "low/normal". If there's any question in your mind about your heart health while on Herceptin, I know some women who've posted here in the past reported that they saw a cardiologist, as Hopeful mentions. There are medications to help support your heart function while finishing your Herceptin, if that is your goal.

<3 Lolly

As a reminder, my first echo showed a low score due to the implant from reconstruction...a little contrast injected made the walls easier to visualize and my echo came up 13 points.

My onc stopped Herceptin when my muga dropped from 70 to 54. I remember him or his nurse saying something about 15 point drop is the stopping point, but I could have misheard them. I had had A/C, Taxol and 36 weeks of Herceptin by then. My oncologist confirmed that there is a study of 5000 women going on in Europe with the aim of proving that 6 months of Herceptin gives the same protection as 12 months for non metastic BC. I felt comfortable stopping at nine months. You might want to try to get in a few more treatments, but that's up to you and the doctor to decide.

thanks for all your help
 

MJo, you hit the number on the nose - my onc says it is a 15 point drop - although I am sure when I read the Herceptin information it said there a drop greater than 10. She is going to have me get MUGA reports every 6 weeks to monitor this drop - I have only been on herceptin for 3 months so I would rather keep going unless it gets worse.

Thanks so much once again for all the input!

Have a great day!

Donna

Hope this link works
 

Here is the link to the letter on the Genetech website which describes cardiac monitoring procedures for patients on Herceptin: http://www.herceptin.com/herceptin/docs/DDL.pdf

Hopeful