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phil · 05-01-2012, 12:15 PM

I dont know of studies about frequency of scans, but I know MGH's docs do them 3 months apart when cancer keeps coming back, as in your wifes case , since Jan. I think you will hear the same from others on this site who are being treated for Stage Iv at research hospitals. So our cumulative experience says scans every 3 months , for a good long while after re-occ. The tumor marker blood tests are good indicators too. Lorraine gets them every 2 months. Were up in 2010, before t dm-1 , have dropped to 14 since Sept , 2011. Lorraine has scanxiety every scan , but has seen the benefit of quick decision to drop txs not working ( abraxane after 2 months of no help ) and switching just in time to t dm-1. We are gearing up for her next scan May 15, which is 4 months after 18 months of every 3 months, because t dm-1 is working so well.
If i had a chance to get t dm-1 in those trials i talked about , i'd take it. In one everyone gets it, and the other, Theresa, 2 out of 3 get it, with the 3rd getting tyk/ xel. or other physicians choice. I hear that Theresa is nearly full, about 900, so 600 are getting the new super -herceptin.
W/in a yr, many researchers feel that t dm-1 will be " standard of care " for metastatic Her2, at varying dose levels, and combined w/ pertuzumab. When w/ in the next yr ? Well , thats up to our FDA, who knows ?? , it will be w-in a yr , but Sept ? Nov ? Jan ?? i say go for it if you can get it.
If your wife tolerates tyk/ xel., i would still strongly , strongly encourage frequent scans,blood marker tests. Just this yr . Those who know me know I can be a nag about this drug t dm-1 , and aggressive tx for an aggressive cancer, but theres very good reason , its life or death, and it works , esp. for those w/ liver mets, not too much bone involvement yet , like Loraine. Show this to your wife, and show her Lorraine on youtube " FDA Blocks Life Saving Cancer Drug Rally , Part 4. " Shes Living Proof . This is probably the best breast cancer drug for her2 in 15 yrs , since herceptin itself. Alright, done nagging , for now anyway...

05-01-2012, 12:15 PM	#24
phil Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 393	Re: Treatment Question I dont know of studies about frequency of scans, but I know MGH's docs do them 3 months apart when cancer keeps coming back, as in your wifes case , since Jan. I think you will hear the same from others on this site who are being treated for Stage Iv at research hospitals. So our cumulative experience says scans every 3 months , for a good long while after re-occ. The tumor marker blood tests are good indicators too. Lorraine gets them every 2 months. Were up in 2010, before t dm-1 , have dropped to 14 since Sept , 2011. Lorraine has scanxiety every scan , but has seen the benefit of quick decision to drop txs not working ( abraxane after 2 months of no help ) and switching just in time to t dm-1. We are gearing up for her next scan May 15, which is 4 months after 18 months of every 3 months, because t dm-1 is working so well. If i had a chance to get t dm-1 in those trials i talked about , i'd take it. In one everyone gets it, and the other, Theresa, 2 out of 3 get it, with the 3rd getting tyk/ xel. or other physicians choice. I hear that Theresa is nearly full, about 900, so 600 are getting the new super -herceptin. W/in a yr, many researchers feel that t dm-1 will be " standard of care " for metastatic Her2, at varying dose levels, and combined w/ pertuzumab. When w/ in the next yr ? Well , thats up to our FDA, who knows ?? , it will be w-in a yr , but Sept ? Nov ? Jan ?? i say go for it if you can get it. If your wife tolerates tyk/ xel., i would still strongly , strongly encourage frequent scans,blood marker tests. Just this yr . Those who know me know I can be a nag about this drug t dm-1 , and aggressive tx for an aggressive cancer, but theres very good reason , its life or death, and it works , esp. for those w/ liver mets, not too much bone involvement yet , like Loraine. Show this to your wife, and show her Lorraine on youtube " FDA Blocks Life Saving Cancer Drug Rally , Part 4. " Shes Living Proof . This is probably the best breast cancer drug for her2 in 15 yrs , since herceptin itself. Alright, done nagging , for now anyway...