HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

03-14-2007, 07:28 AM

Hi Bob,

I will reiterate what Jessica and the others have said:

(1) Definitely request the FISH test for your mother. Even if IHC was HER2 3+++, you should ask that FISH be run as well. Here is an excellent website that describes what FISH is and what the results mean: http://www.nccn.org/patients/fact_sheet.asp.

(2) LVEF between 55 and 70 is considered in the normal range. I believe some doctors will give herceptin if LVEF is at least 50%. Depends, I suppose, on the doctor and the aggressiveness of the cancer. My additional suggestion is that you consult a cardiologist first before making a decision. I would not rely on your oncologist to make this decision for you.

(3) Again, to repeat Jessica's advice. Adriamycin is a chemo treatment that is dangerous to the heart, with or without herceptin. It should never be taken together with herceptin and even taking herceptin after adriamycin can be dangerous. I just visted a cardiologist concerning heart issues as I am on herceptin for six months now. He told me that "usually" the heart recovers when herceptin is finished; he said that this is not "necessarily" true for adriamycin. He is in New York, and I can recommend him or another who works primarily with the elderly. If you send me a private email, I can give you the names of both.

(4) My oncologist, also in New York City, is excellent. In general, I agree with most of his recommendations. What I particularly like about him is his willingness to listen to me. He is not autocratic and everyone at my cancer center loves him. So email if you need his name. I would definitely recommend a second opinion. My oncologist insisted on my first visit that I get a second opinion, although I declined. Good doctors always welcome second opinions.

(5) I had a very difficult time on chemotherapy (taxol and carboplatin) and had to quite ahead of my scheduled four rounds. My reaction to herceptin is nothing like my reaction to chemotherapy. Lots of small complaints: runny nose, cough, swollen feet on occasion, etc., etc. but more than doable.

My last comment is: if your mother's heart is good and she's highly positive for HER2, it's certainly a treatment to be considered. I watched TV the other evening (the woman of 101 years who was attacked and robbed) and thought I hope I live to be her age if I have her mental and physical capabilities. Your mother is still young and she wants to be around, like the rest of us, for a long time. If herceptin will do that, she should consider trying it. New York, by the way, is not so far. One of my oncology nurses is from Tom's River and does the trip almost every day. Come to New York for a second opinion.

03-14-2007, 07:28 AM	#8
Grace Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Bob, I will reiterate what Jessica and the others have said: (1) Definitely request the FISH test for your mother. Even if IHC was HER2 3+++, you should ask that FISH be run as well. Here is an excellent website that describes what FISH is and what the results mean: http://www.nccn.org/patients/fact_sheet.asp. (2) LVEF between 55 and 70 is considered in the normal range. I believe some doctors will give herceptin if LVEF is at least 50%. Depends, I suppose, on the doctor and the aggressiveness of the cancer. My additional suggestion is that you consult a cardiologist first before making a decision. I would not rely on your oncologist to make this decision for you. (3) Again, to repeat Jessica's advice. Adriamycin is a chemo treatment that is dangerous to the heart, with or without herceptin. It should never be taken together with herceptin and even taking herceptin after adriamycin can be dangerous. I just visted a cardiologist concerning heart issues as I am on herceptin for six months now. He told me that "usually" the heart recovers when herceptin is finished; he said that this is not "necessarily" true for adriamycin. He is in New York, and I can recommend him or another who works primarily with the elderly. If you send me a private email, I can give you the names of both. (4) My oncologist, also in New York City, is excellent. In general, I agree with most of his recommendations. What I particularly like about him is his willingness to listen to me. He is not autocratic and everyone at my cancer center loves him. So email if you need his name. I would definitely recommend a second opinion. My oncologist insisted on my first visit that I get a second opinion, although I declined. Good doctors always welcome second opinions. (5) I had a very difficult time on chemotherapy (taxol and carboplatin) and had to quite ahead of my scheduled four rounds. My reaction to herceptin is nothing like my reaction to chemotherapy. Lots of small complaints: runny nose, cough, swollen feet on occasion, etc., etc. but more than doable. My last comment is: if your mother's heart is good and she's highly positive for HER2, it's certainly a treatment to be considered. I watched TV the other evening (the woman of 101 years who was attacked and robbed) and thought I hope I live to be her age if I have her mental and physical capabilities. Your mother is still young and she wants to be around, like the rest of us, for a long time. If herceptin will do that, she should consider trying it. New York, by the way, is not so far. One of my oncology nurses is from Tom's River and does the trip almost every day. Come to New York for a second opinion.