Herceptin alone or Herceptin + Perjeta together?
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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darkside139- I may never know how my infusions of both 18 times every 3 weeks helped, but the side effects were minimal if at all. My friend in Texas has been on Herceptin only as the treatment for her stage 4 for 3 years. There is hope.