My mom is on Herceptine,she had stage 2 Breast CA

My mom had a Mastactomy 1 year back and she had her chemotherapy?Now she is on Herceptine,she had 5 cycle of hercepine and her Left ventricle reading is 61.3 , should she continue taking Herceptine?How long can she take Herceptine? Please guide us?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

The protocols that contain herceptin usually recommend giving Herceptin for one year. This strategy has proven to prevent recurrence of the cancer for patients with Her2 positive tumors.  Herceptin can cause cardiac side effects such as weakening of the heart contraction as will be evidenced by a low ejection fraction (EF).  I'm not sure what you mean by the reading of 61.3, but if the ejection fraction goes below 50-55, or the value goes down about 10-20% from the baseline, then herceptin should be discontinued, and the cardiac status monitored.

Regards and God bless.

[selin]

Hi Doc,


Before starting Herceptine her Echo readings were  lV-4.7/2.9 and EF :66.7%.
Then after taking two herceptine cycle her Echo showed LV-4.7/3.0 and EF:65%,
then after taking 3rd and 4th herceptine her Echo showed following readings LV-4.8/3.2 and EF :61.3% she took her 5th heceptine and due for the sixth.Sir we wanted to know how long can she take Herceptine.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

There seems to be a trend in the decrease in EF.  As I have mentioned, a decrease of about 10% may be an indication to hold or stop herceptin, or if symptoms of heart failure occurs such as difficulty of breathing and edema.  I suggest you discuss this with her doctors.  Regards.