|
Martin wrote: "My wife just had a lumpectomy. 1.4 centimeters. Nodes were negative. Tumor was HER pos 3+. Oncologist wants to do the standard chemo treatment. No Herceptin because of possible side effects"
A little more info may be helpful.
Did they just check the Sentinal Node during the lumpectomy and go no further with node dissection?
Your medical plan may impose restrictions that the oncologist has to respect in recommending treatment. (Usually the case.)
Is there a trial with herceptin given after the chemo and rads available where you are?
If so, I would opt for that. (If your wife is going to take Adriamycin, like I did, the docs do not like to give Herceptin at the same time due to a double whammy on the heart - reason they give it after.)
ALso, the docs have to go by some stats regarding treatment - with no positive nodes, this may put her in a different category.
You can try to get another opinion - and have breast MRI or a PET scan to make sure there is not more tiny tumor someplace else. During the path work on my lumpectomy tissue they found another small tumor within the margins. That is why the breast MRIs and PET scan were ordered.
So much to consider, but we hope to give you some perspective from the "other side."
|