Herceptin

[moscowman]

My wife had Mastectomy. Anlysis reports.CR...-ve,PR...-ve, Her2-Neu ..+ve (3+). Not spread to lymphnodes.
Stage1 .Suggested chemotherapy with CMF 4 sessionsalonwith r months Herceptin..Once in 3 weeks (21-28 days)
Is it normal. I am unsure of Herceptin.Cost id prohibitive and efficacy not proven yet fully, I am informed.
Await suggestion from Doctor;s cpommunity

[weety911]

With any Her2+ breast cancer, herceptin is recommended as it is highly aggressive, even in stage 1 and small tumors (less than 1 cm.)  There have been a couple of  studies that have found the recurrence rate (even when tumor is small) can be as high as 23% when chemo and herceptin is not given.  With chemo alone, I think the recurrence rate was about 12-13%  Herceptin use cuts that down even more to about 7%.  Herceptin is very expensive, though (about $10000 monthly) but in most areas, it has become considered the "standard" of care for Her2+ regardless of size.

[SueYoung55]

Herceptin is the right choice for HER2+ cancers. It's used widely in the US with great results. As Bluebutterfly said, she has an aggressive cancer even though it was found at stage1. That was lucky for her. She runs a much higher risk of recurrence or another primary tumor.

Keep researching and best wishes for your wife during her treatments.

[bluebutterfly2222]

You should address your questions and concerns to your wife's oncologist, who would have all the test results and information specific to her case.

However, HER2+ tumors are considered very aggressive and herception is a targeted treatment for them. It would be highly recommended, if you can possibly find a way to afford it.

Best wishes...