HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - 40% of lymph node mets are of a different ER positivity/negativity, her2 positivity/n

StephN · 11-04-2009, 11:35 AM

Thanks, Lani -
Do they need a bone MET to biopsy or will these dormant stem cells be found scattered about?

Where is the best place to do the biopsy?

I wonder, since I am no longer taking Herceptin prophylactically, if a bone biopsy would tell me whether I may still have some cancer stem cells that could rise up one of these months/years? That is, if the 7+ years of Herceptin did not search and destroy those stem cells.

And, YES, I am sure most here would want to know if the treatment that is knocking them silly is having any effect against the cancer. Obviously the Adriamycin I endured did nothing for me!

11-04-2009, 11:35 AM	#7
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: 40% of lymph node mets are of a different ER positivity/negativity, her2 positivi Thanks, Lani - Do they need a bone MET to biopsy or will these dormant stem cells be found scattered about? Where is the best place to do the biopsy? I wonder, since I am no longer taking Herceptin prophylactically, if a bone biopsy would tell me whether I may still have some cancer stem cells that could rise up one of these months/years? That is, if the 7+ years of Herceptin did not search and destroy those stem cells. And, YES, I am sure most here would want to know if the treatment that is knocking them silly is having any effect against the cancer. Obviously the Adriamycin I endured did nothing for me! __________________ "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.