HER2 Positive Breast Cancer diagnosis during Covid -19

Hi All

I was initially diagnosed with DCIS and had a mastectomy but no reconstruction due to the corona virus.  Mastectomy was originally cancelled aswell but happened about 4 weeks later. Told all along I didn't have cancer and once mastectomy is done I wouldn't need further treatment as lymph nodes were clear. However, my pathology report came back saying two small elements (11mm & 16mm) had become invasive at grade 2&3, and had tested HER2 positive so I now need chemo and Herceptin injections but I was also told the cancer had been removed  so I was completely confused and didn't initially understand the pathology report. Due to virus I was told this via the telephone just before the bank holiday weekend and I was left all weekend without a full explanation as to why this treatment was need. I finally managed to get hold of a breast nurse some days later who used the phrase 'well its the HER2 positive thats the game changer for you' not really much help or explanation there! I was absolutely shocked to not only get this diagnosis after being told everything was fine but also for the way it was given, I spent the following week in termoil wandering what HER2 positive was, why I would need chemo if it had all been removed and what the prognosis would be for me.  Needless to say I've done a lot of my own research now and am a little more informed. After finally speaking to my oncologist two weeks later (face to face - but wearing a PPE mask)  I understand this is a preventative treatment as the lymph nodes were clear and the invasive element has indeed been removed. I just wondered what others experience and prognosis was with a HER2 positive, lymph node clear diagnosis.  
 

 

 

  • Hi Samigee, 

    I'm afraid I can't add much info to your experience, but just to say that I too have just been diagnosed with a growth which is HER2 positive so I will also need chemotherapy and Herceptin in due course. 

    The growth I have is approx 20mm at the moment but fast growing, I am awaiting and MRI to check any spread to my other breast or lymph nodes. 

    I'm sorry that the change in diagnosis was communicated to you poorly - have you tried to speak to a nurse through this page for some more info?

    Keep well, 

    Rosie

  • Hello Samigee

    I am a kindred spirit!  Same story. The treatment in my case was explained as being needed in case a microscopic amount of cancer cells have somehow got through and into sonewhere else undetected. Path. Report returned a small amount of invasive 8mm but this is enough to trigger the Chemo requirement: Paclitaxel (12 x weekly) and Trastuzumab (ev 3 wks - 6-9 months)  

    Good wishes to all fellow visitors to this site. 

  • Hi 

    I was diagnosed in September with HER2+ 15mm tumour which was removed with clear margins and 1 positive lymph node. I was told had to have chemo because needed Herceptin and Pertuzumab and couldn't have these without chemo. My understanding is that this treatment helps prevent recurrence as HER2+ is quite aggressive. I've finished chemo and just had first Herceptin and Pertuzumab.   Hope that helps x

  • Hi Bob33

    Im also Her2 positive with lymph node involvement,just about to start chemo. How did you find it? After chemo I'm also having Herceptin & Pertuzumab. Are you having this every three weeks?

    Hope you're keeping well, take care

    Karen

  • Hi there

    i was originally diagnosed with DCIS in both breasts. Told by the surgeon surgery only, possibly radiotherapy. After the operation to remove this, pathology showed  that in one breast the cancer had become invasive (10mm) to say I was shocked was an understatement. All the way along, I'd been told not to worry it was stage 0 and would therefore need minimal treatment.

    As they were originally treating me for DCIS I had to wait for an extended period for results, which was unfortunate  I also was diagnosed with HER2+ and ER+.

    Unfortunately they didn't get a clean edge first time around, so had to have another operation to remove more tissue and to remove lymph nodes for checking. Results have shown all cancer removed and no lymph node involvement.
     

    I have been given the choice of chemo and herceptin as my oncologist feels it is too risky to have chemo during covid. He showed me the NHS product site which said that chemo and herceptin would add an additional 2% to my survival rate. I've decided to have the treatment, for me it's about trying to reduce the recurrence rate. 
    Chemo Chemo is  Paclitaxel (12 x weekly) and Trastuzumab (ev 3 wks - 12 months)  

    Best Wishes

    Heather

     

  • Can I just ask, did your oncologist try to persuade you against chemo in the light of covid? mine said 'I'll come if the fence, I wouldn't have it' He offered my herceptin on its own.

  • Hi Shirleypqge72

    I was told on biopsy results that Chemo would be recommended, and started it on time, despite the Covid restrictions. 

  • I was diagnosed Her2 positive and eostrogen positive 16mm invasive ductual breast cancer margin clear node negative 

    Was told chemotherapy and herceptin followed by radiotherapy and letrozole 

     

    I challenged my oncologist if I could have herceptin without chemotherapy he said yes covid being the excuse

     

    For me personally I decided just radiotherapy and letrozole 

  • Hi all.

    couple of similar scenarios on here to my own situation. Was told in April DCIS, when all removed 2.5mm Er+ HER2+focus of invasive. I then had to wait 6 weeks for lymph node removal, thankfully results from the 4 removed are clear. Oncology on Friday now where I do believe they are going to leave the choice with me. Due to the delay I think they are going to want an answer from me. I’m leaning towards the chemo/Herceptin as added insurance. How are you all getting on? 

  • Hi everyone, im a relative of someone diagnosed with Her2 pos stage 2 BC in Dec, no Lymphnode involvement, no metastasen, ive been with her all the way through neoajuvent chemo, which  was 4x EC and 12x paxli plus Herceptin every 3 weeks, she will now have  her OP in a few weeks and will go on to have radiotherapy , plus  immunetherapy for a futher 12 months ....we have been told numorous times that every Her2 positive cancer requires chemo, she did not want chemo at first but was persuaded by the drs who said its the standart and safest treatment for Her2 positive disease as this is a relatively fast growing and aggressive type of breast tumor, which tends to recur, its certainly not the worst but it is aggressive, the chemo is to kill off any micro cells which may already be in the body and in her case to shrink the tumor making breast conserving surgery possible (shes young).....i dont live in England, but despite the covid restrictions there was no stop on chemo here at all, please consider the necessity of chemo for this tumor, its all do-able and its really, from what we`ve been told, the most effecient and safest way to treat Her 2 positive,im not a dr of course but due to what we know now  im quite surprised that some of you are vorgoing the chemo for this type of breast cancer, this really was never an option for her ???......of course its a personal choice, everyone must decide for themselves,  but please be well informed about your tumor biology before making any decisions about treatment...all the best to everyone xxx