Surgery during herceptin treatments
 

I am new to this site and have been on Herceptin since August 2007. Has anyone had problems during surgery while on Herceptin? I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and my body temperature dropped very low during surgery. I need another surgery and the surgeon wants to wait until 2 months after my last treatment which won't be until November. I wanted to get the surgeries over with this year. My oncologist doesn't think the herceptin should cause any problems during surgery.

Hi Debbie,

I had a prophylactic mastectomy while going through herceptin treatments and had no problems. I also cleared it with my onc. and surgeon and both said there should be no problems.

That's all the help I can offer you and I hope it all works out well for you.

Love & Blessings,

Mary Jo

I had 6+ surgeries, some were 2 for 1, while on herceptin- the 3 week dose. I never had a problem during surgery or recovery. One surgey was a 10+ hour bilateral recon.

Have you ever had surgery before?

I had a prophylatic mastectomy while on herceptin last June and had no problems. I cleared it with my onc first though. Have you ever been put under anethesia before?

Surgery during herceptin treatments
 

I have had alot of surgeries during weekly Herceptin and Navelbine treatments. I get my treatments on Fridays. I was able to have most of my surgeries on a Monday or Tuesday most of the time, so I would be feeling better by Friday.
The only time I skipped my treatments in the last 8 1/2 years was when one of the anethesiologists gave me too much anethesia and I was still "hung over" on Friday when I showed up for my treatment. The oncologist took one look at me and helped me walk to the chemo room. He asked the nurses to put me to bed for the rest of the afternoon without my treatment. He came back at the end of the day to give me a check up and make sure I was okay to come home.
You better check with all your docs. Everyone's body is different.
Good luck.

I had just been wondering myself it I could have surgery while on Herceptin. I'm releaved to hear it can be done.

I had my ooph during Herceptin. I recommend it unless you are several years out

surgery while on Herceptin
 

I have had two surgeries while on Herceptin without any problem (mastectomy and exchange surgery). Indeed, my oncologist stressed that I must make sure to keep on schedule with the Herceptin, although I was having surgery. All the surgeons were aware of the Herceptin treatment and did not view this as an issue. I would have your oncologist talk with your surgeon about this. You also might want to have the surgeon think about other possible causes for the drop in temperature, since I assume you would want to avoid this problem in the future.

I've had several surgeries on Herceptin too without a problem. I actually thought it was better to have surgery for removal of tumors while on herceptin because for some reason the surgery can spread the cancer cells and the herceptin is there to mop up those stray cells.

Thanks Everyone! I am going to see the PS on Tuesday and talk about the next surgery for reconstruction and I have been advised to have a total hysterectomy also. I hope I can have them done together and not wait until the herceptin treatments are done.
Debbie

Surgery with Herceptin-OK
 

Kathy,
My PS has OK'd my surgery while still being on Herceptin. I will have a combo surgery with PS and GYN/ONC to have the implant put in,a total hysterectomy and mesh for my abdominal muscles. Hopefully, I will then be finished with surgeries !!!!