Has anyone else skipped chemo and Herceptin for small Her2+ breast cancer?

Drs are divided on whether you should have Herceptin if the tumor is under 5 mm. My tumor was 4 mm and I decided to do it after doing a lot of research on my own. I wanted to do everything possible to prevent recurrence but Herceptin can have some serious side effects with your heart. It’s a lot to consider. There are some scholarly papers I read that advocated for doing Herceptin for small tumors that helped me decide to do it. My oncologist supported my decision.

I also did 4 chemo and will have 17 total rounds herceptin and 21 radiation. I'm hitting it with everything.

I have the same diagnosis and my treatment plan is 6 weeks of chemo and then surgery. Possible radiation afterwards. My tumor was 4.2.

Mine was under 1/2 inch. I did lumpectomy, then 4 rounds chemo ever 21 days. My last one is tomorrow. Yea. I wish you luck.

Mine was HER2+, Estrogen +, progestin-, 2cm- and one lymph node positive-just had 6th chemotherapy on 3 wk cycles- Herceptin, Taxotere, Herceptin and Perjeta. Tumor is down to 5mm - 75%reduction to lumpectomy level with several lymph nodes to be removed. Followed by 5 wks radiation 5 times/wk. Oncologist said then 52 more weeks on immunological chemo on 3 wk cycle with either 1 or 2 specifically targeted to whatever the pathology report shows. But considered “curable” since no metastasis has shown up in testing. Having echocardiograms and ct scans every 3 months. No change in cardiac function. Age 74 - no prior cancer and relatively healthy, so not used to this amount of medical treatment and continuous challenges with side effects and no hair. We’ll see how this progresses and weigh the pros and cons.

Update- no cancer found at partial mastectomy so will continue Perjeta/Herceptin but not ANOTHER 52 wks/ pre-surgery chemo (6 cycles) and post-surgery chemo (12 cycles) will come to a total of 52 wks. And radiation with be 5wks/5 days a week. After above is completed then the pill-I believe Anastrozole

Her2neu + estrogen+ progesterone- tumor 2.2cm had a lumpctomy then had savi put in for 5 days of radiation. 2 times a day. Had chemo port put in an on to 12 weeks of chemo (taxol) once a week followed by herceptin every 3 weeks for a year

We are about the same. Mine is HER+, ER/PR negative. Tumor was 1.4cm at biopsy in December and 2.2cm after lumpectomy in March this year. But Oncologist wants 12 weeks of Taxol and Heceptin followed by 9 mons of Herceptin with radiation for 4-6 weeks after the 12 weeks of chemo. I haven’t started chemo yet and think this is a lot of treatment for a small tumor with clear lymph nodes and clean margins on the tumor. My next a lot with oncologist is May 5th. Still can’t decide if Drs plan is standard treatment or over board and way too much.

Did you get a chemo port yet? I feel like you that this is a lot. I've had everything done in Florida, but I'm going back home to NY and have an appointment with another oncologist on May 15th

I got my port a couple of weeks ago. Best decision Ive made so far with this journey. My cancer is on the left so I won’t be able to use that arm for IVs and my right arm hasn’t been a good one for decades. Plus I have huge panic attacks with IVs. I did a PetScan a week ago and they used the port for the first time. What a game changer. So much easier.

Oh good, I was a bit nervous since it was so painful the first couple of days and still a bit uncomfortable. Haven't started chemo yet

My port is still tender to touch but it is a foreign object so that’s to be expected. I didn’t have any pain when the nurse used the port for the first time. Just a quick sting and she had a really nice way of getting me to focused on something else when she inserted the needle. I haven’t started chemo yet either. Guess I’ll find out on Tuesday when we will start. I’m still think 12 weeks of taxol is a bit much. Most people I’ve seen on here are on less chemo than what my dr wants. I’m all for attacking this cancer but I don’t want to over do it either. Not sure I believe “more is better” in my case especially since the tumor was small and no lymph node cancer found. They only needed to remove 1 lymph node and it barely took the dye.

Anyone switch from Hercetin and Perjeta every 3 weeks to Abraxone every week - Triple Postive Her2, PR and ER

I'm the same as you only mine is 2mm, and I'm doing paclitaxel and herceptin weekly for 12 weeks then radiation i feel like its over kill

What was your grade of tumor? Mine is grade 3 and I have the same diagnosis. But my tumor 2mm doing 12 weekly dose of paclitaxel and herceptin then radiation for 2 to four weeks daily and herceptin for a year strange how the treatment is so different in 76

It sounds like having multiple oncologists agree on your treatment plan offers some reassurance, though it's natural to wonder about others' experiences with similar diagnoses. Treatment decisions for small HER2+ tumors can vary based on many individual factors that oncologists carefully consider. Others in this community may have similar experiences to share, and connecting with fellow patients who understand this specific situation can provide valuable perspective and support during your journey.