Herceptin / Tykerb Share your experiences or ask questions about Herceptin or Tykerb |
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02-25-2011, 07:51 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
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Bilateral pleural effusions
Hi all,
A little background....I have stage IV IBC with only a cross axillary metastatic lymph node making me stage IV. Up until now my organs have been clear. I have been NED since surgery April 2010. I was on Tykerb/Xeloda for a year and went off Xeloda in December., I remain on Tykerb and Tamoxifen. I have had some lung changes on Pet/CT and CT chest in both Septmeber of 2010 and December of 2010 that appeared to possibly be related to chemo induced pneumonitis. Both my onc, my rad onc, and a radiologist did not think the changes looked like mets. I have also had small pleural effusions that have come and gone. This entire time I have been completely asymptomatic, working out 5 days a week doing intense aerobic-type exercise.
Two weeks ago my whole family including myself had a nasty virus....cough/fever, etc. SIcne that time I have been exertionally SOB. I was pretty sure this was related to a pleural effusion as I also can not breathe when laying flat or leaning over. Yesterday I had a chest x-ray and I have moderate bilateral/symmetric pleural effusions. Obviously I need a tap and need the fluid analyzed. The thought is that the effusion is either malignant or possibly chemo/radiation-induced pneumonitis. I did have twice a day radiation to both chest walls so I was hit pretty hard with rads last year. I finished rads in June, however, and I think most pleural effusions associated with radiation occur within 6 months of radiation.
Anyone want to share some positive stories about pleural effsuions that turned out not to be malignant. Anyone had bilateral pleural effusions? I think malignancy is the most likely cause at this point although it does seem a bit odd that I have effusions on both sides that are pretty equal.
Thanks, everyone. Hope you all have a nice weekend.
Lori
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
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02-25-2011, 08:30 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Lori,
The Cleveland Clinic website provides detailed information about pleural effusion:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disord..._overview.aspx
Remember "when you hear hoofbeats, think of horses - not zebras." I'm sending
you good vibes.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
Last edited by Jackie07; 02-25-2011 at 08:41 PM..
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02-26-2011, 06:12 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Thank you for your response, Jackie! I had over a liter drained off my left lung yesterday. waiting for cytology results that I am sure will not be good :-(
Thanks again!
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
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02-26-2011, 09:00 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 297
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Lori, I am sending you my prayers and Best Wishes for a good report. Mary L
__________________
Mary L from PA Diag: Oct 2003 w/6mm mass, IDC grade III ductal carcinoma in-situ, IBC stage IIIB. tx A/C followed by Taxotere(only able to have 2 tx, allergic), mastectomy, 3 0ut of 7 positive nodes. 35 rads. Recurrence 9 months later, skin mets to mastectomy site. Tx Carboplatin/Herceptin. Stayed on Herceptin almost 5 years, had 3 more recurrences when I had to stop Herceptin due to my ejection fraction getting too low. Herceptin stopped and ned 3 years in Oct. 2010.
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02-27-2011, 10:12 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Thank you, Mary!
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
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02-27-2011, 12:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Hang in there Lori. Please let us know what happens.I am thinking of you and hoping it's b9.
Ellie
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02-28-2011, 09:31 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Thinking of you, Lori. Hope to hear from you soon.
Amelia
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02-28-2011, 10:44 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Thanks, Ellie and Amelia.
No results from cytology lab yet. I was hoping today but it may take longer.
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
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03-02-2011, 06:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Hi all,
My effusions were malignant as I feared. Starting chemo and hoping for the best.
Lori
__________________
Lori, age 33
*IBC (ER+,PR-,Her2+) on right diagnosed 8/09 with metastatic lymph node left axilla (Er-,PR-,Her2+) vs possible bilateral breast cancer
*A/C x4
*Taxol x4 with weekly herceptin
*Breast MRI 12/09- no improvement
*PET scan 12/09- no evidence of mets
*Tykerb/Xeloda 12/09
*Bilateral MRM 4/10
*Twice daily rads to both chest walls and both axillas 5/10-6/10
*9/10 PET/CT- NED
*Tykerb/Xeloda until 12/10
*Tykerb and Tamoxifen 12/10-current. Bye bye Xeloda
*2/11- malignant pleural effusions bilaterally (likely lymphangitic lung mets) and skin mets
Herceptin and Ixempra
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|
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03-02-2011, 07:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Lori,
Sorry about the confirmed mets. Which chemo will you be getting? Hang in there.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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03-03-2011, 08:17 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 229
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
I know this is terrible news and you did not want to hear mets. Please don't give up, get ready to fight back and kick the cancer out! We will pray for you and send out positive healing thoughts. Yiou are young and strong and can do this! Hopefully someone on the board will have good advice. Take care.
__________________
Diagnosed: Feb 2010 @ 46 yrs old
Invasive Ductual Carcinoma, left
2/28/10 Bilateral Mastectomy (tissue saving for future reconstruction)
3.2 cm 2/18 +lymph nodes
Stage 2b; E+/P+/Her2 +++
Nottingham score grade 2
Ki67 30%
3/2010 A/C 4 DD/2wks
5/2010 Herceptin/Taxotere 4D/3wks
8/2010 Herceptin until May 2011
Tamoxifin 20mg
9/2010 RAD 34 treatments
Pet scan Aug 2010 clear
Port removed July 2011
Bone scan, chest MRI 12/11 clear
Vaccine trial began Oct 2011
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03-03-2011, 08:40 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 434
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Re: Bilateral pleural effusions
Not the news you wanted but you did seem steeled for the mets. I hope the treatment goes well and is not too debilitating.
Trish
__________________
5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+)
6/2004 6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen
5/2006 oopherectomy, Arimedex
12/2006 liver mets largest 9cm
1/2007 Herceptin,
3/2007 Taxol + Herc
1/2008 Herc alone
4/2008 Multiple bone mets,Zometa
7/2008 Herc + Gemcitabine
8/2008 Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine
10/2008 Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol
12/2008 Tykerb+Xeloda
2/2010 Herceptin + trial drug
5/2010 Herceptin+Tykerb
8/2010 Tykerb+Abraxane
9/2010 Abraxane
12/2010 Abraxane+Tyk+Herc
4/2011 Tyk+Herc+Femara
6/2011 Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa
8/2011 Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly.
9/2011 Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa
10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa
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