Docitaxel/Carboplatin/Herceptin

ooh another thing - my tumour was large - 60mm - the onolcogist said the herceptin wouid shrink it (I’m having chemo then surgery) - I didn’t quite believe him - anyway it’s gone. As in I can’t feel it anymore. Thats after 2 rounds of herceptin. There is no lump anymore - it feels like normal breast tissue. I’m sure there are cells visible on a scan but physically I cannot feel it AT ALL and it was really prominent just before I started chemo. The oncologist had a good old fondle the other day and said this was “remarkable”. I’m still in shock! 

Hi Llittlecaf, thank you for sharing. This is what I am going to face if I decide to do the treatment. But I am kinda curious if it is possible I dont get the chemo but just get the target therapy (Herceptin). 

After 2 rounds of chemo my tumour was less than half the size it was at the start. I've now had 4 rounds and Monday's ultrasound showed nothing, it was followed by a backup mammogram which was also completely clear. I'm in shock too. I've still got to do the last two rounds then surgery radiotherapy and phesgo for another 9 months. Having just got used to saying ' I've got cancer' I might not need to say it again!

Hi - I wouldn’t know - do speak with your oncologist - mine is in my lymph nodes too (one or two I think). The traditional chemo kills everything else - personally I’d take whatever I can and whatevr is recommended but it’s your decision - I’d rather do it all now than have to come back later…..do speak with a medical professional and discuss your worries. Sending good thoughts for whatever you decide. 

That’s great! Congratulations! Does that mean that they downgrade the stage/grading? I’ve got to have 3 more rounds, then surgery, radiotherapy & more Phesgo - (herceptin). Sounds like you’re a little bit ahead of me. It’s nice to hear from someone who has had chemo first - everyone asks why they are doing it chemo then surgery - because I think the other way around is more common. I understand it’s because HER2 is easily treated with Phesgo/herceptin so that often (although not always) goes first otherwise you have to wait for surgery recovery which can be a while if there are complications - if like me the tumour is over 50mm then it can be shrunk so that a lumpectomy is possible.