Re: Going for a second opinion

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

I'm glad you're getting a second opinion.

I thought the current thinking is to treat aggressively even if it's

early stage, to ensure there is no recurrence.

I don't think I've heard of any stage 1 Her2+ woman who isn't being

offered Herceptin now (at least in the U.S.).

Let us know what the other oncologist advises.

take care,

[Guest guest]

Herceptin is neither chemotherapy nor hormonal therapy. Some women with

breast cancer, about 25-30 percent of them, have an unusually high amount of a

protein called HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2). This protein is

normally present on the surface of breast cancer cells, but some women have much

more of this protein on their cells and this is thought to be a factor in the

cells being cancerous. Herceptin is a treatment that blocks these receptors

from being stimulated and thus helps treat the cancer. So Herceptin is used in

those women who have too much HER2 protein and is unrelated to whether their

tumors are estrogen sensitive or not. Again, another confusing topic, but I

hope this helps.

This website is great to ask questions to at Hopkins. I believe the

turn around time is about 2 weeks for a response. You could also put your

" keywords " in the search section, to read recommendations of other women in

similar

situations (HER/neu2++, ER+, etc.)

http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_expert/index.asp?cat=13 & pagenu

m=6

I'[m glad you're getting a second opinion. I'm not comfortable without my

Herceptin treatment, and you should really be pro-active (which I know you are)

in all your options. We don't want a post down the road where we wish we had

pushed you more into another opinion during all this uncertainty. You may

even need a third opinion, but that will depend on what you learn at this

appointment>

I wish you well Ruth - feel good and be happy!

[Guest guest]

Herceptin is neither chemotherapy nor hormonal therapy. Some women with

breast cancer, about 25-30 percent of them, have an unusually high amount of a

protein called HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2). This protein is

normally present on the surface of breast cancer cells, but some women have much

more of this protein on their cells and this is thought to be a factor in the

cells being cancerous. Herceptin is a treatment that blocks these receptors

from being stimulated and thus helps treat the cancer. So Herceptin is used in

those women who have too much HER2 protein and is unrelated to whether their

tumors are estrogen sensitive or not. Again, another confusing topic, but I

hope this helps.

This website is great to ask questions to at Hopkins. I believe the

turn around time is about 2 weeks for a response. You could also put your

" keywords " in the search section, to read recommendations of other women in

similar

situations (HER/neu2++, ER+, etc.)

http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_expert/index.asp?cat=13 & pagenu

m=6

I'[m glad you're getting a second opinion. I'm not comfortable without my

Herceptin treatment, and you should really be pro-active (which I know you are)

in all your options. We don't want a post down the road where we wish we had

pushed you more into another opinion during all this uncertainty. You may

even need a third opinion, but that will depend on what you learn at this

appointment>

I wish you well Ruth - feel good and be happy!

[Guest guest]

Ruth,

Its good to get a second opinion if you are not happy with the first. I will

keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of breast cancer info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Going for a second opinion

If you can believe this my plastic surgeon's office has set me up with

another oncologist for a second opinion. They have really been more

helpful to me than any of the other doctors associated with my cancer.

I cannot understand why the estrogen + aspect of this cancer needs to

be treated dispite the fact I am node negative and the the Her2 plus

status doesn't need to be because I am node negative. I mean If any

of those little beasties did escape shouldn't we be treating both

factors? Its beyond me!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Ruth,

Its good to get a second opinion if you are not happy with the first. I will

keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of breast cancer info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Going for a second opinion

If you can believe this my plastic surgeon's office has set me up with

another oncologist for a second opinion. They have really been more

helpful to me than any of the other doctors associated with my cancer.

I cannot understand why the estrogen + aspect of this cancer needs to

be treated dispite the fact I am node negative and the the Her2 plus

status doesn't need to be because I am node negative. I mean If any

of those little beasties did escape shouldn't we be treating both

factors? Its beyond me!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Good morning ruth, my mother er+pr+ her2nu + node neg, her only treatment

has been radiation (36 treatments) and arimidex. The arimidex was started I

think 3 months after the rads finished. No chemo, we thought that with the

her2nu + they would want to do the chemo also but the node neg had a huge

impact on the decision. Mom's was diagnosed at stage 2. So far all mammo's

have come back clean. Mom was diagnosed in Feb 2005. Second opinion is

always a good thing tho. I wish the best outcome for all.

Patti

-- Going for a second opinion

If you can believe this my plastic surgeon's office has set me up with

another oncologist for a second opinion. They have really been more

helpful to me than any of the other doctors associated with my cancer.

I cannot understand why the estrogen + aspect of this cancer needs to

be treated dispite the fact I am node negative and the the Her2 plus

status doesn't need to be because I am node negative. I mean If any

of those little beasties did escape shouldn't we be treating both

factors? Its beyond me!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

Glad to hear that you are going for yet another opinion. Isn't it

just mind boggling??? So many different criteria, so many different

treatments - it's so confusing and so important. Maybe another opinion

will make it clearer for you to make the decision how to treat your

case. Good luck.

Ellen

>

> If you can believe this my plastic surgeon's office has set me up with

> another oncologist for a second opinion. They have really been more

> helpful to me than any of the other doctors associated with my cancer.

> I cannot understand why the estrogen + aspect of this cancer needs to

> be treated dispite the fact I am node negative and the the Her2 plus

> status doesn't need to be because I am node negative. I mean If any

> of those little beasties did escape shouldn't we be treating both

> factors? Its beyond me!

> Ruth

>