HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - from latest article on CNS mets in her2+ metastatic breast cancer pts on herceptin

StephN · 10-14-2008, 12:22 PM

Thanks, pattyz, there was some info there that is new to me.

3. Metachronous (81%) Usually tertiary event: Short intervals (Lung, melanoma, renal CC). Long intervals (Breast, Colon, Sarcomas)

It is the "long interval" part that is interesting to our cancer. All the more reason to keep checking us on a regular basis. Especially as it is KNOWN that the cancer cells can be dormant for years.

I went back to some notes I took at rad onc consult. Talking about the seeding and becoming active of HER2 brain mets. (I think vs. other types of breast cancer brain mets.)

If the tumor is high grade and HER2 pos it has means to proliferate quickly. My larger tumor had grown from undetectable in 12 months to 3cm. My docs seemed to think that was a pretty fast growth rate as my CEA marker did not go up until about 7 -8 months after the previous MRI. That gave it about 5 - 6 months in their estimation to achieve that size.

My liver mets also grew VERY fast. Took over 60% of my liver in 3-4 months time. Not everyone will have that kind of growth rate, but that is the nature of my particular cell biology.

10-14-2008, 12:22 PM	#15
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Thanks, pattyz, there was some info there that is new to me. 3. Metachronous (81%) Usually tertiary event: Short intervals (Lung, melanoma, renal CC). Long intervals (Breast, Colon, Sarcomas) It is the "long interval" part that is interesting to our cancer. All the more reason to keep checking us on a regular basis. Especially as it is KNOWN that the cancer cells can be dormant for years. I went back to some notes I took at rad onc consult. Talking about the seeding and becoming active of HER2 brain mets. (I think vs. other types of breast cancer brain mets.) If the tumor is high grade and HER2 pos it has means to proliferate quickly. My larger tumor had grown from undetectable in 12 months to 3cm. My docs seemed to think that was a pretty fast growth rate as my CEA marker did not go up until about 7 -8 months after the previous MRI. That gave it about 5 - 6 months in their estimation to achieve that size. My liver mets also grew VERY fast. Took over 60% of my liver in 3-4 months time. Not everyone will have that kind of growth rate, but that is the nature of my particular cell biology. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.