HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Is it time to switch from Herceptin? So confused

jkdowl · 09-12-2014, 04:45 AM

I was dx stage 4 to bones in 2010, have been stable since then. I never had a mastectomy until 2 months ago, the left breast started increasing in size. After a biopsy that confirmed IDC ER PR neg, HER-2+++, (same as original), I had a left mastectomy last week.
No lymph nodes were in involved, clean margins. 3 small IDC tumors, extensive DCIS, lymphatic invasion, no vascular invasion.
Now we are discussing radiation +\- changing up chemo regimen.
My oncologist initially said that I would be able to stay on herceptin bc all my other scans are still stable. Now she is changing her tune, she said that if the tumors in the breast were able to grow on herceptin then it may not be enough for the rest of the body. Of course, I don't want to switch or add anything else, but she is not giving a definite recommendation yet. She wants to present my case to her colleagues first.
Anyone have experience like this?

09-12-2014, 04:45 AM	#1
jkdowl Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 17	Is it time to switch from Herceptin? So confused I was dx stage 4 to bones in 2010, have been stable since then. I never had a mastectomy until 2 months ago, the left breast started increasing in size. After a biopsy that confirmed IDC ER PR neg, HER-2+++, (same as original), I had a left mastectomy last week. No lymph nodes were in involved, clean margins. 3 small IDC tumors, extensive DCIS, lymphatic invasion, no vascular invasion. Now we are discussing radiation +\- changing up chemo regimen. My oncologist initially said that I would be able to stay on herceptin bc all my other scans are still stable. Now she is changing her tune, she said that if the tumors in the breast were able to grow on herceptin then it may not be enough for the rest of the body. Of course, I don't want to switch or add anything else, but she is not giving a definite recommendation yet. She wants to present my case to her colleagues first. Anyone have experience like this? __________________ 40 yo. mom to 7 yo old twins girls and 5 year old son Dx- 12/6/10- stage IV to bone Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa CT scans and bone scan- STABLE 4/19/11, 6/12/11, 10/4/11 Stopped taxol 9/29/11 Continue herceptin,zometa John Hopkins vaccine trial 4/12-11-12 CT scans and bone scan- NED 4/12, 7/12, 10/12, 2/13,6/13 Brain MRI-clear 6/13 Left breast progression 8/14, Ct scan and bone scan-clear brain MRI- clear Mastectomy left breast 9/14