Question about prognosis for HER2-positive ER/PR-
Hello,
I am a close relative of a young woman who was recently operated on for HER2-positive, ER/PR-negative pleomorphic lobular breast cancer, with a Ki67 of 12%. The tumor was large, 93 mm, and 6 out of 11 axillary lymph nodes showed metastases. Blood-based testing has also indicated evidence of spread.
The tumor was detected relatively late, partly because of her naturally large breasts. It became hard in connection with a mammogram, which initially led healthcare providers to believe it was an injury.
She has undergone a radical mastectomy, and we’ve been told that all visible disease was removed. She is now scheduled for adjuvant treatment including dose-dense EC x4, followed by Paclitaxel x12, dual HER2-blockade with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab, radiation therapy, and possibly also Kadcyla (T-DM1).
At an earlier consultation, a doctor used what I suspect was the older version of the Predict tool to estimate prognosis. It gave a 5-year survival estimate of around 40%, but this was presented without context or explanation, almost as if it was a curiosity rather than a serious assessment. It was deeply upsetting to her, and left both of us very concerned. However, we believe this no longer reflects outcomes with today’s standard treatments, as newer tools like the updated Predict model have shown different results.
She has since changed oncologists, but understandably does not feel comfortable asking again about prognosis. That’s why I am reaching out, to hopefully receive a clearer, more balanced perspective that I can share with her, if appropriate, so that she doesn’t have to raise the question herself.
What we are looking for is an honest, medically accurate response. If the answer is difficult, I may choose not to share it with her, but I want to understand, so that I can support her in the best way possible.
Comments
-
Hi @muschen ! We are sorry to see you joining us on these terms but we are glad you found us. Although we cannot give medical advice, we do hope you receive some helpful feedback from our members regarding your concerns. Your relative is lucky to have you as an advocate and taking the time to research to find the best ways to support her.
While you await some responses, please feel free to browse through our community forum by searching specific terms that you may find helpful in our search bar. Hope this helps!
— The Mods
0
