Her-2 Overexpression

Linda727
Linda727 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Does anyone have Her-2 Overexpression and Ki-67 as strong positive 3+ as a diagnosis? Tumor was extremely small at 0.3 centimeters. No spread! I had a left breast mastectomy last Sept. followed by 4 rounds of chemo-/adriamycin, cytoxan, and taxotere. Not on anything now because there is nothing to do but hope it doesn't return. If so, then go on Herceptin. Please respond if you have had this diagnosis. How many check-ups do you have? How often do you get a blood test?
Thanks so much.

Comments

  • wildangel
    wildangel Member Posts: 81
    #2
    Hi,
    I have not had this diagnosis - just regular BC without the her2Nue but I do know a few people who have- BUT none of them were lucky to have such a small tumor so that is a DEFINITE PLUS! Also the fact that you had no lymph involvement is a GREAT thing!
    The norm for most BC survivors is three month check - ups for a while then you graduate to 6 month and then a year. That is with your oncologist. You will need to have your remaining breast Mammo-ed...some docs do it at 9 months- some at a year.
    When you are having your follow- up appointments you will have blood drawn and Tumor Markers will be taken...this tests if there is a level of BC increasing in your blood...however, this test causes more grief than good most of the time because something as simple as a cold or drinking coffee before the test can falsely elevate the numbers.
    You will most likely have a PET and or a CT scan to follow up also. Some docs do this right away so they have a "baseline" to compare future scans to.
    I personally think your prognosis is excellent even with the Her2Nue status. You are in a really high cure rate percentile.

    If you are not on anything now I guess you are ER/PR-? me too.

    I wish you the best of luck! I hope I helped a little!

    Angela
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #3
    Hi Linda. I am Her2 positive, stage IIIa, one lymph node positive. I had an 8cm tumor. I had a mastectomy and then entered a clinical trial testing herceptin on non-met. cancers. Had 4 rounds of AC, then 12 wkly treatments of taxol w/ herceptin, then 40 of herceptin alone. Just finished July 29th. I'm now on a 3 month checkup schedule at the oncologist for the first year (blood draws at each appt.), then it extends to 4 mos/yr, 6 mos/yr, then yearly. You should also see your Gyn at least yearly or 2x/yr and your surgeon every 6 mos. I also had radiation so that's another doctor I see 2x/yr. You should set it up so that you see one of the doctors every three months, that way between them and you doing exams, anything will be picked up early. Also try to push for an MRI along with your mammo since we are now in the high risk category. What care have you been receiving the last year?
    Susan
  • hillbillycat
    hillbillycat Member Posts: 79
    #4
    SusanAnne said:

    Hi Linda. I am Her2 positive, stage IIIa, one lymph node positive. I had an 8cm tumor. I had a mastectomy and then entered a clinical trial testing herceptin on non-met. cancers. Had 4 rounds of AC, then 12 wkly treatments of taxol w/ herceptin, then 40 of herceptin alone. Just finished July 29th. I'm now on a 3 month checkup schedule at the oncologist for the first year (blood draws at each appt.), then it extends to 4 mos/yr, 6 mos/yr, then yearly. You should also see your Gyn at least yearly or 2x/yr and your surgeon every 6 mos. I also had radiation so that's another doctor I see 2x/yr. You should set it up so that you see one of the doctors every three months, that way between them and you doing exams, anything will be picked up early. Also try to push for an MRI along with your mammo since we are now in the high risk category. What care have you been receiving the last year?
    Susan

    Hi Linda,
    I am sort of like you. I had a tumor very small.Around 1 centimeter. I am also her2neu but a 2.7 ,pr and er pos and no lymph node involvent. Basically I have a good outcome.
    Try to not worry, you have a good prognosis...Shirl
  • Linda727
    Linda727 Member Posts: 6
    #5
    SusanAnne said:

    Hi Linda. I am Her2 positive, stage IIIa, one lymph node positive. I had an 8cm tumor. I had a mastectomy and then entered a clinical trial testing herceptin on non-met. cancers. Had 4 rounds of AC, then 12 wkly treatments of taxol w/ herceptin, then 40 of herceptin alone. Just finished July 29th. I'm now on a 3 month checkup schedule at the oncologist for the first year (blood draws at each appt.), then it extends to 4 mos/yr, 6 mos/yr, then yearly. You should also see your Gyn at least yearly or 2x/yr and your surgeon every 6 mos. I also had radiation so that's another doctor I see 2x/yr. You should set it up so that you see one of the doctors every three months, that way between them and you doing exams, anything will be picked up early. Also try to push for an MRI along with your mammo since we are now in the high risk category. What care have you been receiving the last year?
    Susan

    Thank you so much for your reply. I posted this message and then forgot to check the responses.
    Your advice is very helpful. I did get an MRI this past week. It was normal. I'm trying to get a mammogram every 6 months. How were the Herceptin treatments? I had 4 rounds of chemo but had to quit because of nerve damage at my reconstruction sites. Wishing you the best! Thanks again!

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