Chemo optional?

Thank you, I must admit I am VERY apprehensive.  I keep telling myself "just breathe".....

Cindy,

Alrighty...seems the addendum re: her2neu to the initial path report did not make it to initial med onco; I provided it to 3rd opinion med onco who I met with today (2nd one backed out after onco dx could not pe performed) 3rd  found info re:her2neu reading that completely changes chemo approach and regimen. Needless to say, I WILL NOT start chemo St. Patrick's day, but I know I will soon once everything reports, slides, etc. have been gone over again. 

I'm going underground again... will post details later....I'm done for now.

Thanks for all the support.

Peace,

Dear Cinderwee,

Core biopsy 11/19/10, initial path report 11/23/10, HER2 addendum 12/18/10

The HER2 FISH Analysis reads (in part):
Results: 1.3 negative
Comment: HER2 Genetic Heterogeneity (GH) is present. See Below.
<1.80=Negative
1.80-2.20=Equivocal
>2.20=Positive
Karyotype: nuc ish 17 cen(D17Z1x 2-4), 17q11.2-12 (HER-2x 2-6) [40]
*HER2 FISH Results:
Number of Tumor Cells Counted: 20+20
Number of Observers:2
Average Her2 Signals/Nucleus: 3.7
Average Number of CEP 17 Signals/Nucleus: 2.9
Ratio Average: HER2/CEP 17: 1.3

THIS WAS THE CLINCHER:
Results of GH Region
7.5% of invasive tumor demonstrates HER2 amplification.
Amplified cells are scattered.

Suggested regimens:
1) Taxotere and Cytoxan + Herceptin every 3 weeks x 4 doses, include 3 days of Decadron
Neulasta shot day after infusion
Then Herceptin every 3 weeks x 1 year.

2) Taxol 1x week x 12 weeks
Cytoxan every 3 weeks x 4 doses
Decadron day of
Herceptin include with either above and continue every 3 weeks for 1 year

Option 1 is favored by the 3rd med onco as it is most widely used; Option 2 seems "less scary" to me.  The facility he is at (AZ Cancer Center in Tucson) is also going to have a BREAST path review core biopsy slides for hormone growth dependency for potential follow up hormone therapy, this should not hold up my starting chemo.

I had the FULL path report faxed to my init med onco, discussed over the phone and meet with him tomorrow. 

Thanks for listening....will definitely keep you posted and would appreciate all feedback on either suggested regimens  above.

AND - Thanks for all the wisdom and support; I am truly grateful.


Edited by Cinderwee - Mar 16 2011 at 4:49pm

Cindy,

Good luck with your treatment.  I know it's so hard to decide when you get different opinions and anomalies with your tumor type.  Keep us posted.

Donna

I also had the three days of decadron with the a/c.  I am sure it helped with the nausousness but I hated the depressed crash when I finished it.   good luck to you all,   Bonnie

Best wishes and hoping for a smooth journey, please let us know how you are doing.

Yesterday was my 1st (option 2) infusion, tired today, not much appetite...but grateful to have finally gotten started.  Chemo nurse says I did well and can hopefully cut both the Benadryl & Decadron; and have also decided it would be wise to get a port.  So wow, I'm 3NEG yet ER weakly positive @ 5% and SOME Her2 amplification....I now know for certain....NOTHING is black & white...

Also, Benadryl gives me restless legs so we switched to claritin after a week and it was sooo much better.  Also decreased the decadron after a couple weeks as I hadn't had any reaction.  Made life a little easier afterwards.