HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Joan M · 01-10-2013, 12:58 PM

Penny,

I know from my RFA of the lung that inflammation hangs around for awhile, and I would imagine that that would be the same for the liver. Also, RFAs and cryoablations are known to cause a strong autoimmune reaction in the area of treatment, which can also look like inflammation. The body is directing a lot of killer T cells to that area, which is its normal reaction. That's also why Sloan Kettering is using the drug ipilimumab in one of the arms of their trial of freezing primary breast cancer tumors, rather than removing them surgically. The drug is a monoclonal antibody like Herceptin. It is FDA approved for melanoma and works specifically to enhance the immune system's response. The theory is that the drug helps the body recognize and fight off cancer cells.

You are in my prayers. I pray every morning, particularly to St. Rita. I've been praying to her for over 10 years, long before I had breast cancer, when I just happened to find a prayer book in church. I visited her shrine in Italy several years ago. It was a wonderful experience.

God bless!

Joan

01-10-2013, 12:58 PM	#2
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: My oncologist wants to try perjeta Penny, I know from my RFA of the lung that inflammation hangs around for awhile, and I would imagine that that would be the same for the liver. Also, RFAs and cryoablations are known to cause a strong autoimmune reaction in the area of treatment, which can also look like inflammation. The body is directing a lot of killer T cells to that area, which is its normal reaction. That's also why Sloan Kettering is using the drug ipilimumab in one of the arms of their trial of freezing primary breast cancer tumors, rather than removing them surgically. The drug is a monoclonal antibody like Herceptin. It is FDA approved for melanoma and works specifically to enhance the immune system's response. The theory is that the drug helps the body recognize and fight off cancer cells. You are in my prayers. I pray every morning, particularly to St. Rita. I've been praying to her for over 10 years, long before I had breast cancer, when I just happened to find a prayer book in church. I visited her shrine in Italy several years ago. It was a wonderful experience. God bless! 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; 01-10-2013 at 01:09 PM..