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Herceptin alone or (Herceptin + Perjeta) together

Posted by darkside139 @darkside139, 6 days ago

Hi

I am a 54-year-old female, and I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer last April. I completed 8 cycles of TCHP (Taxotere (docetaxel), Paraplatin (carboplatin), Herceptin (trastuzumab), and Perjeta (pertuzumab)] treatment and then underwent surgery to remove the cancer along with 5 lymph nodes. I am scheduled to start radiotherapy in 2 months.

Initially, I had 5 spots on my liver, which were completely resolved with treatment. However, my doctor still considers the cancer metastatic because of the prior presence of these liver spots.

My question is regarding the maintenance phase (12–16 months): Should I take Herceptin (trastuzumab) alone, or should I take both Herceptin and Perjeta (pertuzumab) in combination?

I have received differing medical opinions and would appreciate advise

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | 6 days ago

Hello @darkside139 we cannot give medical advice, we are patients and caregivers happy to support and educate as best we can. If you have been given differing opinions you would certainly be within reason to ask for a third opinion. I will often ask for a better understanding of why a doctor is recommending a particular treatment plan. Sometimes this will help get me to a decision.
At 54 you have many years to live with your decisions, how have you been handling treatments so far?

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darkside139 | @darkside139 | 6 days ago

Thank you for the support and advice.
I handled treatments so far well, but I want to ensure I’m making the best choice for long-term health.
in fact no clear medical answer for my question

thanks again

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katgob | @katgob | 6 days ago

darkside,
I had Her2+ too and the same chemo. AIso have the Brca2 mutation. I did not have spots on my liver, but i was given 18 doses of Herceptin/Perjeta infusions every 3 weeks for 1 year. Those are both used for metastatic, although mine was not. I was stage 2b, 3 nodes out that were clear. My tumor was big so that was another factor, and at City of Hope for my cancer this was chosen for long term effects. I was also given Lynparza for 1 year, a twice daily pill. I was 61 at the time and 64 now.
About Herceptin alone. a good friend of mind was put on that one alone for her stage 4. She credits it with her continued stability 3 years later. I had joint pain some. I have had nothing lasting and little if any side effects from the two. I am nearly 3 years from the removal of the cancer. At the time, I remember talking with the doctor and trusting that as part of my treatment plan the team of oncologists at COH felt this was a necessary part of my plan.

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1 reply
darkside139 | @darkside139 | 5 days ago
In reply to @katgob "darkside, I had Her2+ too and the same chemo. AIso have the Brca2 mutation. I did..." + (show)
@katgob

darkside,
I had Her2+ too and the same chemo. AIso have the Brca2 mutation. I did not have spots on my liver, but i was given 18 doses of Herceptin/Perjeta infusions every 3 weeks for 1 year. Those are both used for metastatic, although mine was not. I was stage 2b, 3 nodes out that were clear. My tumor was big so that was another factor, and at City of Hope for my cancer this was chosen for long term effects. I was also given Lynparza for 1 year, a twice daily pill. I was 61 at the time and 64 now.
About Herceptin alone. a good friend of mind was put on that one alone for her stage 4. She credits it with her continued stability 3 years later. I had joint pain some. I have had nothing lasting and little if any side effects from the two. I am nearly 3 years from the removal of the cancer. At the time, I remember talking with the doctor and trusting that as part of my treatment plan the team of oncologists at COH felt this was a necessary part of my plan.

Jump to this post

Hi
What a journey you’ve been through. Thank you for sharing your experience—it’s so encouraging to hear how well you’ve done after such a challenging diagnosis and treatment.

thanks u wish u all the best

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katgob | @katgob | 5 days ago

darkside,
After the BC cancer, another genetic mutation and likely the chemo and Lynparza caused MDS. I had a bone marrow transplant in April. Almost 9 months later, minus the loss of my hair a 2nd time, I am in great shape. A day at a time and notifying the medical team of any side effects. A regular checkup every 3 months keeps them informed. My next bone marrow biopsy in 3 months will show my bloods condition Is my body still accepting my donor. At6 months we were 100%. So far, my whole journey has been manageable a day at a time.

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varsha08 | @varsha08 | 5 days ago

Darkside, Good to know you were able to tolerate the treatment well. My best wishes for the continued recovery.
In 2020 I was diagnosed with MBC Her2+ in 2020 where one of my lymph node and liver was metastasized.
I took 6 chemo with Taxotere and Herceptin with Perjeta. The scans then showed me completely clear of cancer but i was asked to continue Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks for life, which i did. It has been 5 years now and I am cancer free according to the doctor. Now I for last one year i am on PHESGO which is an injection mix of Perjeta and Herceptin. I had taken 3 opinions and i was told the same thing. Herceptin and Perjeta for life or till I become immune to it.
I have developed Neuropathy with it and do have body ache and muscle pains. But I am able to live normal life.
So if you are supposed to take it only for 12-16 months, I think that's a very encouraging news. Of course you have to make your own decision. I just thought I could share my long journey of Perjeta and Herceptin with you so it may make you happier to know that you don't need to go through that.

My best wishes to you.
Varsha

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1 reply
katgob | @katgob | 4 days ago

Those two are lifesaver drugs. I would go back and use them again of they were advised. Stage 2 means no metastasizing, but i had a bone marrow transplant from MDS, so i know my body has had a bunch of trauma. Trauma i have been able to live through well, day at a time.
This mayo connect allows all of us to share positive and not so. Our bodies are different, and we are different. Isn't that wonderful!!!!

REPLY
darkside139 | @darkside139 | 4 days ago
In reply to @varsha08 "Darkside, Good to know you were able to tolerate the treatment well. My best wishes for..." + (show)
@varsha08

Darkside, Good to know you were able to tolerate the treatment well. My best wishes for the continued recovery.
In 2020 I was diagnosed with MBC Her2+ in 2020 where one of my lymph node and liver was metastasized.
I took 6 chemo with Taxotere and Herceptin with Perjeta. The scans then showed me completely clear of cancer but i was asked to continue Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks for life, which i did. It has been 5 years now and I am cancer free according to the doctor. Now I for last one year i am on PHESGO which is an injection mix of Perjeta and Herceptin. I had taken 3 opinions and i was told the same thing. Herceptin and Perjeta for life or till I become immune to it.
I have developed Neuropathy with it and do have body ache and muscle pains. But I am able to live normal life.
So if you are supposed to take it only for 12-16 months, I think that's a very encouraging news. Of course you have to make your own decision. I just thought I could share my long journey of Perjeta and Herceptin with you so it may make you happier to know that you don't need to go through that.

My best wishes to you.
Varsha

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@varsha08
Many thanks for ur kind words and my deep wishes for the best
Thanks for ur advise, I guess we are both have almost, the same way of medication

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