|
I'm ER/PR- and my onc agreed to run the Bayer Serum for me last year when I was starting a new treatment due to progression:
month one - 12.7
month two - 11.5
month three - 6.8
Even though my initial number was below what's considered high (13-15), the fact that it dropped by half by the third month was considered to be a indication that I was responding to treatment.
The Bayer Serum is approved for use in metastatic bc, so some oncs are reluctant to use it in early stage since it's not known whether it's accurate for early stager's.
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
|