HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - better prognosis for those with <4 lung metastases with metastectectomy

Joan M · 06-23-2010, 06:46 PM

Lani,

Thanks for this post.

I like your preface about medical oncs not giving much attention to local treatments, such as surgery in the case of lung mets. And this study shows that such treatment can offer benefit.

In my case, the small, single pulmonary nodule (and the only met) removed by minimally invasive surgery recurred a year later. I treated the recurrence with radiofrequency ablation. Unfortunately, the procedure created a cavity that allowed a fungus to grow which lead to another lung resection 11 months later. However, up until that point, the cancer had not recurred, as the path report noted only the fungus.

I really regret the fungus growing, not only for the obvious outcome (coughing up blood which lead to another lung surgery), but also because I was tremendously curious how the lung RFA would have worked out beyond a year.

Joan

06-23-2010, 06:46 PM	#3
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: better prognosis for those with <4 lung metastases with metastectectomy Lani, Thanks for this post. I like your preface about medical oncs not giving much attention to local treatments, such as surgery in the case of lung mets. And this study shows that such treatment can offer benefit. In my case, the small, single pulmonary nodule (and the only met) removed by minimally invasive surgery recurred a year later. I treated the recurrence with radiofrequency ablation. Unfortunately, the procedure created a cavity that allowed a fungus to grow which lead to another lung resection 11 months later. However, up until that point, the cancer had not recurred, as the path report noted only the fungus. I really regret the fungus growing, not only for the obvious outcome (coughing up blood which lead to another lung surgery), but also because I was tremendously curious how the lung RFA would have worked out beyond a year. 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!! Last edited by Joan M; 06-23-2010 at 06:50 PM..