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Another by Jean
Topo2a positive or negative...
Lizbeth, I understand your frustration on the delay in new testing being available. It seems it takes time for new testing to take a hold. This reminds me of the Oncotype DX testing for those who were on the fence with having chemo and it took a long time before centers began using the test...just a short while back many onc. said it was not standard care of treatment.
When I saw Dr. Slamon he insisted that I have the topo2a test prior to making any decison on chemo.
Because, if topo2a positive than A/C would be okay to go with, if negative (and I was neg.) A/C would not have benefit for me. Dr. Slamon was the only one at the time 2006 to offer the test. Most dr. did not even know about it and those who did (even now) do not use it.
Last year at the BCS Becky and I went to a lecture that Dr. Slamon was giving and I will share that the topo2a
was a much heated topic. Dr. Slamon has been saying for the last few years that the topo2a should be tested before making a treatment decison. Yes, he does favor
TCH .....since the trials proved to be desirable.
Why does it take so long? I can only answer when it comes to Dr. Slamon, long before the FDA approved
herceptin to ALL her2 women (remember early stagers)
were not approved and had to fight for it and get it off label and pray the insurance would cover the cost.
Dr. Slamon was saying...."All Her2 women should be given herceptin" how many did not agree with him.
Shocking isn't it? I am thinking it is the same with the topo2 ...and in a year or maybe two we will be reading
how topo2 is routine. Very frustrating...
Just recently I posted a medical article stating how STILL some women are NOT tested for HER2, can you believe that?
I want to know why testing for HER2 is not routine
on DCIS?
I hope this information helps.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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