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Becky · 10-14-2007, 08:10 AM

There are many theories on this concept.

Firstly - there are many schools of thought that the primary tumor does produce chemicals that say "I am king here! No other tumors can grow so I can get all the nutrients and energy!".

Secondly, at least with Her2+ tumors, the Her2 protein is greatly needed for healing. That said, when you have surgery for any reason, that protein is needed and if there are micromets, it can fuel their growth. This is one of the reasons that I had my ovaries removed while still on adjuvant Herceptin and got a colonscopy during that time too (just in case some polyps had to be snipped out). This is also why the clock starts ticking as soon as one has their bc surgery (and why many oncs want you to start chemo within 3-6 weeks).

I am not sure about the other subtypes of bc (although most triple negatives are more like Her2+ women in that they may be Her1+ or Her3+ which are also healing growth factors). It may not be quite the same for women who are only highly hormone positive but not Her2+ as well.

10-14-2007, 08:10 AM	#4
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	There are many theories on this concept. Firstly - there are many schools of thought that the primary tumor does produce chemicals that say "I am king here! No other tumors can grow so I can get all the nutrients and energy!". Secondly, at least with Her2+ tumors, the Her2 protein is greatly needed for healing. That said, when you have surgery for any reason, that protein is needed and if there are micromets, it can fuel their growth. This is one of the reasons that I had my ovaries removed while still on adjuvant Herceptin and got a colonscopy during that time too (just in case some polyps had to be snipped out). This is also why the clock starts ticking as soon as one has their bc surgery (and why many oncs want you to start chemo within 3-6 weeks). I am not sure about the other subtypes of bc (although most triple negatives are more like Her2+ women in that they may be Her1+ or Her3+ which are also healing growth factors). It may not be quite the same for women who are only highly hormone positive but not Her2+ as well. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"