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al from Canada · 01-08-2006, 08:24 PM

Dear Janet,

Maybe one slipped through the cracks and maybe it is cancerous but, don't freak and make sure this is taken care of asap. By biopy; I hope you mean they'll completely remove the node and not do a fine needle biopsy. The reason I say this is because, as you stated, there is a good chance of being cancer related so why 2 surgeries?? I still am one who belives that surgery (and biopsies) may induce spread so the less cutting, the better.

This has absolutely nothing to do with herceptin as you have just started it. Even then, herceptin as a single treatment, to reduce active tumours, works in a very small precentage of patients, its real benefit on active disease is with chemo, where the response rate is far greater. Assuming that they missed a node, it would be considered as active disease.

Lastly, about the stats thing. The book hasn't been finished on HER2 disease. Herceptin has made such an impact that the final on stats is still pending. Even then, any survival stat is a median and the spread is from 3 months to ??? Never ever believe survival stats....just ask anyone here.

Good luck,
Al

01-08-2006, 08:24 PM	#2
al from Canada Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 722	Dear Janet, Maybe one slipped through the cracks and maybe it is cancerous but, don't freak and make sure this is taken care of asap. By biopy; I hope you mean they'll completely remove the node and not do a fine needle biopsy. The reason I say this is because, as you stated, there is a good chance of being cancer related so why 2 surgeries?? I still am one who belives that surgery (and biopsies) may induce spread so the less cutting, the better. This has absolutely nothing to do with herceptin as you have just started it. Even then, herceptin as a single treatment, to reduce active tumours, works in a very small precentage of patients, its real benefit on active disease is with chemo, where the response rate is far greater. Assuming that they missed a node, it would be considered as active disease. Lastly, about the stats thing. The book hasn't been finished on HER2 disease. Herceptin has made such an impact that the final on stats is still pending. Even then, any survival stat is a median and the spread is from 3 months to ??? Never ever believe survival stats....just ask anyone here. Good luck, Al __________________ Primary care-giver to and advocate for Linda, who passed away April 27, 2006.