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Joan M · 12-05-2008, 09:07 PM

Cheryl,

Thanks for coming to the board and letting us know what's happening with you.

It's usually not common to continue on any chemo or Herceptin after treatment for early stage breast cancer. However, it's important for you to settle in with an oncologist who you feel comfortable with and try to have a follow-up CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis at least annually even if you don't have any symptoms. Since you had a positive node you should have those scans done now, unless you've had them already.

You may have a good point with your oncologist about having the scans continuously because you had a positive node, are HER2+ and ER-/PR-. Use that argument if you're told that scans are not given for follow-up of early stage breast cancer.

In general you should be having a regular follow-up every three to six months for at least the first two years. And you should be followed for at least 10 years. You should have regular blood work at each of your visits with the onc. You should also have tumor markers, at least every six months initially. Do you have tumor markers (CA27-29, CA 15-3)? Even if they were not taken before treatment you can still have them done starting now (I didn't have tumor markers initially, but when I switched oncs, my new onc started markers).

Joan

12-05-2008, 09:07 PM	#2
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Cheryl, Thanks for coming to the board and letting us know what's happening with you. It's usually not common to continue on any chemo or Herceptin after treatment for early stage breast cancer. However, it's important for you to settle in with an oncologist who you feel comfortable with and try to have a follow-up CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis at least annually even if you don't have any symptoms. Since you had a positive node you should have those scans done now, unless you've had them already. You may have a good point with your oncologist about having the scans continuously because you had a positive node, are HER2+ and ER-/PR-. Use that argument if you're told that scans are not given for follow-up of early stage breast cancer. In general you should be having a regular follow-up every three to six months for at least the first two years. And you should be followed for at least 10 years. You should have regular blood work at each of your visits with the onc. You should also have tumor markers, at least every six months initially. Do you have tumor markers (CA27-29, CA 15-3)? Even if they were not taken before treatment you can still have them done starting now (I didn't have tumor markers initially, but when I switched oncs, my new onc started markers). Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!