HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - what is your risk of brain metastases and what are they recommending you do about it?

11-17-2006, 03:11 AM

Once again thanks for this article. I retrieved it from the Univ library here. A couple of things ...in the article as well as the abstract under results it says "tumor size larger than 2 cm, and hormone-receptor negativity were independent prognostic factors for the development of brain metastases, whereas hormone-receptor expression was protective. So I would interpret this to mean that if one is ER+ that is somewhat protective from brain mets. That is very good news for all ER+ persons!

Also, in HER2+ patients (27 total) in 8 patients the brain was the initial site of mets (as Lani said earlier - because the herceptin is frequently stopping other mets) and in 19 pts, the CNS were dxd subsequent to other mets. They go on to say that because of this high-risk population, serial radiologic screening and/or prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in HER-2 metastatic patients are warranted.
Wow, prophylactic cranial irradiation - that is a pretty heavy concept, but 8/27 patients is significant for a first metastasis!

11-17-2006, 03:11 AM	#12
Nedra Guest Posts: n/a	good news for ER+ Once again thanks for this article. I retrieved it from the Univ library here. A couple of things ...in the article as well as the abstract under results it says "tumor size larger than 2 cm, and hormone-receptor negativity were independent prognostic factors for the development of brain metastases, whereas hormone-receptor expression was protective. So I would interpret this to mean that if one is ER+ that is somewhat protective from brain mets. That is very good news for all ER+ persons! Also, in HER2+ patients (27 total) in 8 patients the brain was the initial site of mets (as Lani said earlier - because the herceptin is frequently stopping other mets) and in 19 pts, the CNS were dxd subsequent to other mets. They go on to say that because of this high-risk population, serial radiologic screening and/or prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in HER-2 metastatic patients are warranted. Wow, prophylactic cranial irradiation - that is a pretty heavy concept, but 8/27 patients is significant for a first metastasis!