Are the chances of reoccurrence greater

mssue
mssue Member Posts: 242
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
For the first time today I had the opportunity to look at my reports my onocologist had.She had an emergency call during my check up and she handed me my file and said I could look.My question now is are the chances greater for reoccurrence if you are her2neu3+/fish positive?My doc said since i was a stage one and it was found early they feel like they got it all with surgery followed w adj. chemo,that if any seedlings were left the chemo should have taken care of it.Her asst told me before that I was slightly her2neu pos,I never questioned it.The doc said if I was a stage 3 or 4 that I would be on herceptin or if It came back they would know how to treat it.I've been thinking about this all afternoon---I read some stuff on the internet awhile ago about her2neu,I still don't know what to think.I thought I was up to date on my health issues but today kinda blew me away.Can anyone shed some light on this subject?
Sometimes it's just confusing-I would really appreciate some insight.

thanks
w/love
Sue

Comments

  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    Hi Missue, Her2Nu+++ would indicate a tumor that is considered more agressive and generally more likely to recur. Generally is the operative word. It's just one marker that doctors consider when choosing treatment options. Your cancer was caught very early which gives you an excellent prognosis. At one point, Herceptin was only approved for use in metastatic disease. There were clinical trials to see if it would also benefit stage I but I've not read the results of those trials or if the FDA has yet approved it for early cancer treatment. If you haven't complete confidence in your oncologists course of treatment, don't hesitate to get a second or even a third opinion.
  • mssue
    mssue Member Posts: 242
    #3
    tlmac said:

    Hi Missue, Her2Nu+++ would indicate a tumor that is considered more agressive and generally more likely to recur. Generally is the operative word. It's just one marker that doctors consider when choosing treatment options. Your cancer was caught very early which gives you an excellent prognosis. At one point, Herceptin was only approved for use in metastatic disease. There were clinical trials to see if it would also benefit stage I but I've not read the results of those trials or if the FDA has yet approved it for early cancer treatment. If you haven't complete confidence in your oncologists course of treatment, don't hesitate to get a second or even a third opinion.

    Thanks Tlmac , I guess I shouldn't worry now that i've come this far.I just didn't know that was on my chart,wasn't sure if it had any effects for the future.Thank you so much-I hope you have a great day.
    w/love Sue
  • prayerangel
    prayerangel Member Posts: 147
    #4
    mssue said:

    Thanks Tlmac , I guess I shouldn't worry now that i've come this far.I just didn't know that was on my chart,wasn't sure if it had any effects for the future.Thank you so much-I hope you have a great day.
    w/love Sue

    Sue, I have practically my whole chart for myself. Any bloodwork or testing, etc. you should ask for copies. Read over it, and learn to read them. If I have surgeries (I've had 7 just on my chest) I ask for the surgery notes from the surgeon. You are entitled to all of your info. Sometimes the nurses act like it's a bit of an inconvenience, but I am persistent. I also read and make myself knowledgeable before I have a doctor's appointment. Best of luck. Sounds like yours was caught early on.
  • mssue
    mssue Member Posts: 242
    #5
    prayerangel said:

    Sue, I have practically my whole chart for myself. Any bloodwork or testing, etc. you should ask for copies. Read over it, and learn to read them. If I have surgeries (I've had 7 just on my chest) I ask for the surgery notes from the surgeon. You are entitled to all of your info. Sometimes the nurses act like it's a bit of an inconvenience, but I am persistent. I also read and make myself knowledgeable before I have a doctor's appointment. Best of luck. Sounds like yours was caught early on.

    Prayerangel,Thank You!
    I have copies of my bloodwork ,but I didn't realize I could also get copies of all the other procedures.I will check into that on Monday because now I'm really curious as to what else is in my file that I maynot be unaware of.I appreciate your help.You have a wonderful day and God bless you.
    W/love Sue

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