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06-20-2008, 12:09 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 4
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Surgery during herceptin treatments
I am new to this site and have been on Herceptin since August 2007. Has anyone had problems during surgery while on Herceptin? I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and my body temperature dropped very low during surgery. I need another surgery and the surgeon wants to wait until 2 months after my last treatment which won't be until November. I wanted to get the surgeries over with this year. My oncologist doesn't think the herceptin should cause any problems during surgery.
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06-20-2008, 01:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Debbie,
I had a prophylactic mastectomy while going through herceptin treatments and had no problems. I also cleared it with my onc. and surgeon and both said there should be no problems.
That's all the help I can offer you and I hope it all works out well for you.
Love & Blessings,
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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06-20-2008, 01:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
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I had 6+ surgeries, some were 2 for 1, while on herceptin- the 3 week dose. I never had a problem during surgery or recovery. One surgey was a 10+ hour bilateral recon.
Have you ever had surgery before?
__________________
Are we there yet?
Dx 10/05 IDC, multi-focal, triple +, 5 nodes+
MRM, 4 DD A/C, 12 weekly taxol + herceptin
rads concurrent with taxol/herceptin
finished herceptin 01/08
ooph, Arimidex, bilateral DIEP reconstruction
NED
Univ. of WA, Seattle vaccine trial '07
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06-20-2008, 01:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: moved to Lancaster, Pa in June, 2010
Posts: 576
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I had a prophylatic mastectomy while on herceptin last June and had no problems. I cleared it with my onc first though. Have you ever been put under anethesia before?
__________________
Debbie in North Carolina
Diag 10/2006-high grade invasive ductal carcinoma- mastectomy L breast
2.5 cm tumor ER/PR pos-Her2+++
4 rounds A/C, 4 rounds Taxol
Herceptin every 3 weeks until Jan. 2008
6/18/07 prophylatic mastectomy R breast
8/2007 started aromasin/stopped arimidex (side effects)
12/07 stopped aromasin due to side effects (now what?)
Finished herceptin 1/8/08
started tamoxifen for 2 years then will switch to femera
allergic to tamoxifen started femera 4/2008
June 20, 2008 portacath removed
Learnig to live life to the fullest!
Stopped Femera due to side effects
July 28, 2008 start trial for breast cancer vaccine
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06-20-2008, 02:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Surgery during herceptin treatments
I have had alot of surgeries during weekly Herceptin and Navelbine treatments. I get my treatments on Fridays. I was able to have most of my surgeries on a Monday or Tuesday most of the time, so I would be feeling better by Friday.
The only time I skipped my treatments in the last 8 1/2 years was when one of the anethesiologists gave me too much anethesia and I was still "hung over" on Friday when I showed up for my treatment. The oncologist took one look at me and helped me walk to the chemo room. He asked the nurses to put me to bed for the rest of the afternoon without my treatment. He came back at the end of the day to give me a check up and make sure I was okay to come home.
You better check with all your docs. Everyone's body is different.
Good luck.
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06-20-2008, 06:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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I had just been wondering myself it I could have surgery while on Herceptin. I'm releaved to hear it can be done.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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06-20-2008, 06:49 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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I had my ooph during Herceptin. I recommend it unless you are several years out
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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06-20-2008, 07:14 PM
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#8
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Guest
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surgery while on Herceptin
I have had two surgeries while on Herceptin without any problem (mastectomy and exchange surgery). Indeed, my oncologist stressed that I must make sure to keep on schedule with the Herceptin, although I was having surgery. All the surgeons were aware of the Herceptin treatment and did not view this as an issue. I would have your oncologist talk with your surgeon about this. You also might want to have the surgeon think about other possible causes for the drop in temperature, since I assume you would want to avoid this problem in the future.
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06-21-2008, 09:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Brentwood, CA
Posts: 76
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I've had several surgeries on Herceptin too without a problem. I actually thought it was better to have surgery for removal of tumors while on herceptin because for some reason the surgery can spread the cancer cells and the herceptin is there to mop up those stray cells.
__________________
Janelle
Diagnosed October 2006 at age 37 wtih grade 3 IDC and high grade DCIS
Stage 1c triple positive, no node involvement but
vascular invasion
multifocal disease
Lumpectomy November, 2006
A/C every 3 weeks (started Jan., 2007 and finished March 2007); followed weekly Taxol (finished June 2007) concurrent with Herceptin (finished March 2008);
Bilateral Mast with immediate recon in Sept 2007; finished recon Dec. 2007
Started 5 years of tamoxifen Nov. 2007; started peptide vaccine clinical trial at MD Anderson October 2008 and finished active part of trial in April 2009 (monthly injections of AE37 peptitde (HLA type specific) with GM-CSF or GM-CSF alone depending on if I was in experimental or control group); started Zometa infusions June 25, 2009- 4mg every 6 months for 3 years (taking it "off-label" to try to prevent mets)
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06-21-2008, 12:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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Wow I'm glad I found this thread! I just asked my PS if I can have Stage 2 revision surgery to my new "foob" and he said, not until I finish with the Herceptin txs which won't be until April of '09. My PS is afraid of problems with the heart - even if my Muga score is OK. So I'm happy to hear that he's just being overly-cautious. I don't mind waiting for my Stage 2 (because I'm hoping to lose weight before that) - but I may need my gall bladder removed if it acts up (I have two stones), so this information gives me more peace-of mind, thanks ladies!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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06-22-2008, 08:02 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 4
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Thanks Everyone! I am going to see the PS on Tuesday and talk about the next surgery for reconstruction and I have been advised to have a total hysterectomy also. I hope I can have them done together and not wait until the herceptin treatments are done.
Debbie
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06-23-2008, 07:54 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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Let us know what your PS advises Debbie - I'm gathering these opinions to show my PS!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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06-24-2008, 11:37 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 4
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Surgery with Herceptin-OK
Kathy,
My PS has OK'd my surgery while still being on Herceptin. I will have a combo surgery with PS and GYN/ONC to have the implant put in,a total hysterectomy and mesh for my abdominal muscles. Hopefully, I will then be finished with surgeries !!!!
__________________
Debbie
July 2007: Diagnosed IDC, Stage 1
E+, Her2+, BRAC1+
August 2007: Lumpectomy
September 2007: started carboplatin, taxotere, herceptin weekly
Jan 2008: finished chemo :), herceptin every 3 weeks until Nov 2008
April 9, 2008: Double Mastectomy with TRAM Flap Surgery
April 12, 2008: Loss of TRAM on right breast, Latisimus dorci flap with expander on right breast.
Hysterectomy next on the surgery schedule
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06-25-2008, 02:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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That's great news Debbie! It seems like most surgeons don't worry about Herceptin - so I'm not sure why my plastic surgeon wants me to finish my Herceptin txs before starting Stage 2. Also, I wonder if it matters that I'm not getting Stage 2 for more than a year after Stage 1 - I'd hate to find out that it made it more difficult for me to have a flatter tummy and more normal looking foob.
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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