HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - you are not going to like this--first evidence based guidelines 4 brain met treatment

Joan M · 11-04-2009, 09:04 PM

Brenda,

For some reason I was able to access this news story about the guidelines that were released last week at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in New Orleans.

The author of the guidelines report, Dr. Steven Kalkanis, codirector of the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, said that since no evidence supports the use of chemotherapy for brain mets, "we are specifically recommending that it not be used" for that purpose.

He also commented that radiosurgery has really progressed in the last 10 years and that it offers a "very viable and important option."

Apparently, the full report goes into further details.

And, to Lani's point, the insurance companies will probably use such guidelines to deny claims.

Joan

11-04-2009, 09:04 PM	#3
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: you are not going to like this--first evidence based guidelines 4 brain met treat Brenda, For some reason I was able to access this news story about the guidelines that were released last week at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in New Orleans. The author of the guidelines report, Dr. Steven Kalkanis, codirector of the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, said that since no evidence supports the use of chemotherapy for brain mets, "we are specifically recommending that it not be used" for that purpose. He also commented that radiosurgery has really progressed in the last 10 years and that it offers a "very viable and important option." Apparently, the full report goes into further details. And, to Lani's point, the insurance companies will probably use such guidelines to deny claims. 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 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!