herceptin - how long should I use it?

[tnbelle22]

I am new here. I have 2001 breast cancer that showed up in the liver in July 2004. Received chemo plus herceptin until April of 2005. After that I got a herceptin treatment every three weeks. I did great with it and all heart echos look good. Last PET scan showed the liver to be clean. My doctor credits herceptin with this. However, he plans to discontinue the herceptin since I have been on it alone for one year. I am to see him tomorrow, and am curious about how long others have taken it. I wonder why he feels we need to stop the treatments. I guess I will find out tomorrow. Any questions I should ask him? So glad I found this support group. Thanks in advance for your help.

Tnbelle22
Tricia

[jhandley]

I think you will find that the current protocol is to continue herceptin indefinitely. Since you have had metastisis to the liver..even though you are now NED you are still at risk of further spread further down the track. Women who have early stage BC who are her 2+ normally continue with herceptin for a year.

jackie