PROGNOSIS

[dedee010]

I was diagnosed her2+/neu- March 28th.  I have had 4 doses of epirubicin & taxatere.  My original pet scan showed 6 mets on liver.  Diagnosed stage 4...my scan in May showed the breast mass to be 1cm x 1.7cm (originally it was 9x10)  my liver mets were down to 2 & nodes are currently clear.  I have decided not to have a mastectomy-but a lumpectomy if needed.  I have 2 more dosed of epi & taxatere, then will move on the herception-forever.  I am 46, with 10+ grandchildren.  I know this is not the best of diagnosis, but with such good results, is my prognosis good?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear dedee010:  It is nearly impossible to predict how long a person will live.  Women with breast cancer - even in the setting of advanced disease, can live "well" for years.  It sounds like things are so far moving in a good direction.  Hopefully, this will continue for a long time!

[surgeon]

when herceptin works, it works great. So far, so good for you.