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Old 03-21-2010, 09:45 AM   #2
Rich66
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
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Re: Dr. won't do Her2 serum test

Although I love the idea of it, the clinical utility has been contentious. My sense of it is that, like tumor markers, may be relevant to some but not to others. I suspect big numerical swings are more reliably indicative. I believe there is someone on this board who is maintaining stage IV by reintroducing Herceptin when her serum her2 goes up.
Have you had a serum circulating tumor cell (Veridex etc) test?
Also..if you haven't had a biopsy since the primary, might give you some leverage in getting the serum her2 test or a new biopsy. The onc should be comfortable with the idea that pathology of mets can be different from the primary. For example, if a new biopsy showed ER+ mets, a new avenue of treatment would open up. The mets may have switched to using estrogen due to previous her2 therapy. If getting a biopsy is an option, you could also push for a chemosensitivity test...though you may have to pay for that.
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