Would like input on Herceptin as part of treatment

Sorry about your diagnosis.
Sorry about your diagnosis. However this is a wonderful sight for support and information.

I was diagnosed with Stage 3A her 2+ IDC and DCIS. I went through the chemo, radiation and Herceptin. Herceptin is not a chemo and doesn't have extreme side effects. I had MUGA scans every 3 months and yes after 9 months of Herceptin, I had to take a 3 month break because my heart function had dropped significantly from the upper end of normal to lower end of normal. I couldn't tell the difference, I was still exercising (swimming, zumba, dancing etc) like there was no difference. My Onc. was very cautious and we discussed at length whether or not to resume. I did eventually resume and complete the treatment.

The treatment plan that is offered to you and what you choose to do is very personal. I feel relieved that I was able to do complete all the treatment, give it all that I could. I have been supposedly cancer free for a year now. I was able to work and continue with life as normal during the whole treatment.

Talk to you Onc. about what fears and concerns you have about the treatment. I wish you well in your recovery.
Mariam

Hi napagirl
Hi napagirl,

Hope your appointment went ok. I know they can be difficult. You are in a good place here, though. Lots of new friends on your side.

I am a BRCA husband. My dear wife had Stage IIIA, ER+, HER-2+, positive nodes, in 2004. Chemo was Adriamycin/Cytoxan with a follow up of Herceptin. We oped for the Herceptin because we felt it increased the odds for her survival. An insurance policy, of sorts.

After the Herceptin treatments, she began having troubles getting up the stairs, and was out of breath more than usual. Her doctor brushed it off for a while - we had done an echo right after the Adriamycin so we felt confident. Still, it persisted. We finally met with our cardiologist who did another echo once the Herceptin was over and saw the signs of cardiomyopathy. At the time it was blamed completely on Adriamycin. Her heart ejection fraction was in the mid 30s which was dangerously low. It took months, we moved in and out of cardio meds, finally getting the right combination. Then, little by little her ejection fraction began to work back up, and in the end is only slightly below what it was originally. She will likely be on BP meds and Carvedilol for life, but it's a small price to pay. We are eight years out now and cancer free.

So this story is not to scare you, but to give you as much information as you need. And just today there was a news story out of Yale regarding Herceptin: their study showed an increase in heart problems with use of Herceptin, but the actual numbers depend on age and use of anthracyclines. I won't translate because it's easy to influence by doing so. Instead, here is the article:

http://www.sciencecodex.com/heart_failure_in_older_breast_cancer_patients_linked_to_medication-102118

This reminds me of the discussion we had with our radiation oncologist. I asked him if radiation therapy could cause cancer, then why would we want radiation therapy? He said, "Good question. But the odds of this therapy having a positive effect are much higher than the odds of making things worse." I think this applies to Herceptin as well and I would vote for using it with close heart monitoring.

Rules to consider:
Trust your instincts: if you don't feel well during this process speak up!
Trust your doctor, but read up on everything you can.
Trust that we are all behind you and want you to win.


And to Susan: One day at a time. If that's too much, one hour at a time is fine, too.

Brian