Triple positive sistahs

survives
survives Member Posts: 254 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
The other day, Jo Jo asked an interesting question that asked if any of us had two types of cancers in our breasts. A number answered.

I have a second part to the question that started my mind whirling. Here it is;

How many of you are triple positive (hormone + AND HER2 neu +), had very small tumors, and did not receive Herceptin?

And aside from the question about Herceptin, just how many are 3+?

Just curious!
Jennifer
«1

Comments

  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #2
    I am 3+. My tumor was 1.5
    I am 3+. My tumor was 1.5 cm. I had a lumpectomy in Sep 09.
    I am also taking Herceptin for a year.

    Hugs

    Donna
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #3
    I'm not sure if I am 3+ but
    I'm not sure if I am 3+ but I am positive. I had large tumor (6cm and 3cm) and they did not give me Herceptin. I was diagnosed in 2003. Wish I would have known about this board then and I could have questioned the docs but maybe Herceptin is fairly new?
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #4
    I tested positive all across
    I tested positive all across the board( ER, PR, HER2+). I am completing a year of Herceptin and will be getting my port removed come September. I have one more infusion to go and I will be done- Hooray!

    From what I understand, Herceptin is for those who tested positive for HER2. It can also be given to those who have metastasized cancers.

    Best of luck on your journey. God bless.
    BL
  • JanInMN
    JanInMN Member Posts: 149
    #5
    I am 3+
    < 2cm tumor, l breast, no nodes, bilat mastectomy, Carboplatin, Taxotere, Herceptin, Tamoxifen. :-) Jan
  • MomMichelle
    MomMichelle Member Posts: 93
    #6
    I was triple positive with
    I was triple positive with my DCIS, but had an invasion. ER-, PR slighly+, and HER2+++. I will be starting TC and then having herceptin for a year. Invasion was only 4mm, two doctors said no to chemo, 1 said definitely chemo (he said he was not concerned with the size of the cancer but the biology of it). After that 1 opinion was placed in my mind, I knew I had to because I would always wonder what if. Hate the what ifs!
  • MomMichelle
    MomMichelle Member Posts: 93
    #7
    I was triple positive with
    I was triple positive with my DCIS, but had an invasion. ER-, PR slighly+, and HER2+++. I will be starting TC and then having herceptin for a year. Invasion was only 4mm, two doctors said no to chemo, 1 said definitely chemo (he said he was not concerned with the size of the cancer but the biology of it). After that 1 opinion was placed in my mind, I knew I had to because I would always wonder what if. Hate the what ifs!
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #8
    JanInMN said:

    I am 3+
    < 2cm tumor, l breast, no nodes, bilat mastectomy, Carboplatin, Taxotere, Herceptin, Tamoxifen. :-) Jan

    Also 3+
    2+cm tumor, lumpectomy, 4 Adriamycin/Cytoxan and 1 Taxol (bad reaction had to stop). On Herceptin for 1 year. My last on is on Oct.6th. Still being watched as my mamogram/ultrasound came back with lots of calcifications in both breasts now.
    Sher
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #9
    What is HER2 (1+) mean?
    Im ER+/PR+ but not sure about the HER2...it says 1+ on my path report but not sure what that means ...so if anyone could tell me that would be great.
    My tumor was 1.2 cm and i dont have to take Herceptin.
  • lillith
    lillith Member Posts: 29
    #10
    jo jo said:

    What is HER2 (1+) mean?
    Im ER+/PR+ but not sure about the HER2...it says 1+ on my path report but not sure what that means ...so if anyone could tell me that would be great.
    My tumor was 1.2 cm and i dont have to take Herceptin.

    HER2 -
    It must mean you are HER2 negative if you don't have to take Herceptin. the HER2 gene on the tumor makes it really aggressive and Herceptin blocks this gene.
    however, each tumor can have its own expression so make sure all the tumors are HER2(-).
  • survives
    survives Member Posts: 254 Member
    #11
    lillith said:

    HER2 -
    It must mean you are HER2 negative if you don't have to take Herceptin. the HER2 gene on the tumor makes it really aggressive and Herceptin blocks this gene.
    however, each tumor can have its own expression so make sure all the tumors are HER2(-).

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,.....well.....
    Looks like I'm odd duck out here, too!! My tumors together were less than 1cm. One IDC, one DCIS. Because I had a mastectomy, my doctors felt that I was aggressive enough, and that chemo and herceptin se's outweighted the good effects of each.

    Was wondering if I'm the only one...look like it!!

    Jo J0, Her2 (1+) means that you are weakly Her2 positive, and maybe your doctors didn't think the risk of Herceptin was warranted....maybe...not sure. Something to ask about when you go next.

    Best wishes ladies!
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #12
    survives said:

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,.....well.....
    Looks like I'm odd duck out here, too!! My tumors together were less than 1cm. One IDC, one DCIS. Because I had a mastectomy, my doctors felt that I was aggressive enough, and that chemo and herceptin se's outweighted the good effects of each.

    Was wondering if I'm the only one...look like it!!

    Jo J0, Her2 (1+) means that you are weakly Her2 positive, and maybe your doctors didn't think the risk of Herceptin was warranted....maybe...not sure. Something to ask about when you go next.

    Best wishes ladies!

    I am HER2 negative, but, I
    I am HER2 negative, but, I thought the HER2+ always took Herceptin. You should ask about it Jojo as I thought all positives took it.


    Good luck everyone!

    Hugs, Angie
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #13
    Angie2U said:

    I am HER2 negative, but, I
    I am HER2 negative, but, I thought the HER2+ always took Herceptin. You should ask about it Jojo as I thought all positives took it.


    Good luck everyone!

    Hugs, Angie

    wow ladies now im
    wow ladies now im confused...i think i will ask my new onc about this.
  • survives
    survives Member Posts: 254 Member
    #14
    jo jo said:

    wow ladies now im
    wow ladies now im confused...i think i will ask my new onc about this.

    All positives DO-------
    However, there are exceptions to this rule still. And the battle for us early bc-ers is still being debated. In MY case (and, Jo Jo...do talk to your onc., as I am certainly NOT familiar with your case, nor am I a doctor), I was told that Herceptin is not a stand alone drug. Since I had a mastectomy, had clear margins and no nodes, both my former and present oncologists decided that I had been aggressive enough, and did need chemo or rads. Remember, this was 4 years ago. NOW, everyone gets it. BUT, there isn't enough proof that it helps with the earliest of earlies, such as myself. So, you see, I do fall between the cracks. Also, there was a formula that my present onc. did for me, and said that I fall within the less than 10% chance of reoccurance in the next 10 years. Someone may know what it's called....I don't remember.

    I did fight the fight and argue for chemo and Herceptin, but it didn't happen for me. I have 3 doctors that are telling me that I should be fine, therefore I have to trust. So, after 4 years out, I think I will have to trust in light of the fact that next year I will come off of Femara.
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #15
    triple
    Im quadtriple. HER2,Er,PR and mentally. lol Had the Herceptin. Last treatment Sept. 2, yahooo!
    Had a 5.3cm and 18/20 nodes posi. All better now. Course I don't want to sound cocky, but truely feel in my heart, " been there, done that." Love to all. Katz
  • pms
    pms Member Posts: 1
    #16
    BREAST CANCER
    CAN'T DECIDE ON CHEMO .45 , ER PR+ HER2+ NO NODES
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #17
    pms said:

    BREAST CANCER
    CAN'T DECIDE ON CHEMO .45 , ER PR+ HER2+ NO NODES

    triple positive here
    I was also triple positive ... 1.5 cm ... had lumpectomy, chemo (taxol and herceptin) and continued herceptin for a year) and then had radiation... and have been on tamoxifen for about 6 months. So far so good ... NED.

    hugs.
    teena
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #18
    jo jo said:

    What is HER2 (1+) mean?
    Im ER+/PR+ but not sure about the HER2...it says 1+ on my path report but not sure what that means ...so if anyone could tell me that would be great.
    My tumor was 1.2 cm and i dont have to take Herceptin.

    JOJO
    NOW I'M CONFUSED. I AM TRIPLE NEG. I THOUGHT YOUR ARE TN ALSO JOJO? IF I'M WRONG DON'T MIND ME...I'VE GOT SO MUCH OF MUMBLE JUMBLE IN MY HEAD I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING ON.
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #19
    Annette 11 said:

    JOJO
    NOW I'M CONFUSED. I AM TRIPLE NEG. I THOUGHT YOUR ARE TN ALSO JOJO? IF I'M WRONG DON'T MIND ME...I'VE GOT SO MUCH OF MUMBLE JUMBLE IN MY HEAD I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING ON.

    Annette
    if you scroll up
    Annette
    if you scroll up more you will see everyone is confused on this as i am....so its not just you!
    my path report reads im ER+/PR+ and HER2 (1+) I have not been to my onc yet to ask but i go next week...we assume the 1+ is a week positive??
    Sorry for all the confusion...were all just one big confused group of people...hehe!
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #20
    Annette 11 said:

    JOJO
    NOW I'M CONFUSED. I AM TRIPLE NEG. I THOUGHT YOUR ARE TN ALSO JOJO? IF I'M WRONG DON'T MIND ME...I'VE GOT SO MUCH OF MUMBLE JUMBLE IN MY HEAD I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING ON.

    Annette
    Maybe your right i
    Annette
    Maybe your right i went back to see what i wrote and i did say i was tn ...it should of said POSSIBLY TN and also i said it was my left side that i had nodes removed and its my right side...wow so many mistakes in that post...i wonder what was going thru my head then...im sorry!
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #21
    jo jo said:

    Annette
    Maybe your right i
    Annette
    Maybe your right i went back to see what i wrote and i did say i was tn ...it should of said POSSIBLY TN and also i said it was my left side that i had nodes removed and its my right side...wow so many mistakes in that post...i wonder what was going thru my head then...im sorry!

    JOJO
    CHEMO-BRAIN! SERIOUSLY, MISTY JO YOU HAVE SO MUCH ON YOUR MIND AND ALL THAT YOU JUST WENT THROUGH IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.
    HUGS :)

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