Tuesday, March 03, 2009 friendfamily asks

Q: Ca Breast stage IIB prognosis after Modified Radical Mastectomy and Chemotherapy without Herceptin

I would like to know the prognosis for a 64 years old lady who had a Left Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) 2 weeks ago for Stage IIB (T2 N1 M0), HER2 positive, FISH positive, ER Negative, PR Negative, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade III, Metastatic Carcinoma in 3/24 Axillary Nodes.

Chemotherapy regimen AC for 4 cycles every 3 weeks then paclitaxel for 4 cycles every 3 weeks OR FEC for 3 cycles every 3 weeks then docetaxel for 3 cycles every 3 weeks OR DCH for 6 cycles every 3 weeks will be taken, in next 2 weeks time.

Advised by oncologists to take Herceptin but it's too expensive.

Radiotherapy should be considered after the chemotherapy (as there are 3 LN+).

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Answers (2)

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

3/ 3/09 1:11pm

Hi - this is an awful lot of medicalese to try to understand, isn't it? Please read our Guide to Understanding Your Pathology Report, so you can better understand where she stands.

I imagine her prognosis would probably be quite positive, were she to take Herceptin. Without Herceptin, things could still turn out well, but of course her risk of recurrence is increased. I assume she has no insurance, which is why the Herceptin isn't an option? I'd inquire at the hospital's social services department about reduced drug prices. Also, ask her oncologist about the possibility of her participating in a clinical trial for women with her diagnosis, as she could do that free of charge.

Best of luck to you both - PJH

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

3/ 3/09 7:48pm

The characteristics of your friend's tumor are similar to mine, except that I was Stage IIIB with 16 positive lymph nodes. That was eleven years ago when Herceptin had just been approved for Stage IV patients but before it was used as widely as today. I had surgery, chemo, and radiation, and I'm fine today. Whatever statistics your friend's oncologist comes up with for her individual situation, they can't predict what will happen to her. I would recommend that she try to find a way to get the Herceptin if possible, but as my survival proves, chemo and radiation may well be enough even for Her2neu postivie patients.

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Q: Ca Breast stage IIB prognosis after Modified Radical Mastectomy and Chemotherapy without Herceptin

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