Updates from Lara: Good News....

HER2-positive breast cancer: What is it?

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about one of every three breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer.

HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. They're also less responsive to hormone treatment. However, new treatments that specifically target HER2 are proving to be very effective:

Trastuzumab (Herceptin). Herceptin, which specifically targets HER2, kills these cancer cells and decreases the risk of recurrence. Herceptin is often used with chemotherapy. But it may also be used alone or in combination with hormone-blocking medications, such as an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen. A study published in 2005 found that Herceptin can reduce breast cancer recurrence by as much as 50 percent. Herceptin is usually well tolerated, but it does have some potential side effects, such as congestive heart failure and allergic reaction. This drug is also very expensive.

Lapatinib (Tykerb). Like Herceptin, Tykerb is a HER2-specific drug. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007, Tykerb may be effective for HER2-positive breast cancer that doesn't respond to Herceptin.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Good News....

Although my lymph node biopsy came back positive, my bone and CT scans look good. They did notice that I have a thyroid problem, not sure if it is a hypo or hyperthyroid issue, we just know that something is going on in there. Unless I become abnormally fatigued, we aren't going to do anything about this one for now. We are moving on to chemo.

I've got a 2:30 appointment today to have some blood work done and then I am meeting with the oncologist, Dr. Rubin, at 3pm to discuss the process and a possible clinical trial.

What's next?

I do know that I will have to have a heart test and they want me to put a port in my chest before chemo begins. Hopefully, we can get this accomplished soon. I just want to get this going... now!