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Quick Links On Breast Cancer |
Do You Know What Your Risks Are of Developing Breast Cancer?
Why Should You Consider Using A Breast Form Over Getting Reconstructive Surgery?
What Not To Say When Your Loved One Tells You She Has Breast Cancer
Can Breast Cancer be Prevented?
Hypnosis Complements Breast Cancer Treatment and Breast Surgery
Mammograms Are No Joke - They Can Save Lives!
Recommendations For Early Breast Cancer Screening
Early Detection And Breast Cancer
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Breast Cancer - Herceptin and HER2
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The HER2 over-expression is a factor in 20% to 30% of breast cancer occurrences.
The official scientific big word description of Herceptin is that it is a monoclonal antibody, engineered via biotechnology. The way it works is by attaching itself to any cells that are overproducing the HER2 protein. It attacks the protein receptors which then slows the growth of the cells down. It targets the HER2 protein as opposed to traditional types of treatment which tend to destroy all fast growing cells in their path, healthy or cancerous. This is a big improvement over certain types of chemotherapy. The development of targeted treatments like Herceptin is the wave of the future.
So how does a breast cancer patient receive herceptin? Their cancer must show that it over-expresses the HER2 protein. This is determined by having a pathologist test the cancerous cells that were removed from the breast during surgery. He or she will stain the tissue with a solution that will highlight any instance of overproduction of HER2. If a patient has the HER2 over-expression present, they are considered to be HER2 positive and therefore it could be possible to treat their cancer with herceptin if needed.
Herceptin is not for everyone. It is approved for treatment of women with advanced cancer in combination with the chemotherapy drug, paclitaxel. There are side effects associated with the drug and one of those includes cardiotoxicity which can cause serious heart problems in patients. Therefore heart monitoring before, during and after treatment is crucial. Less serious side effects include fever, chills, increased cough, diarrhea and weakness. If herceptin is given with chemotherapy, nausea is possible. Other moderately severe side effects include loss of white blood cells and anemia.
A diagnosis of breast cancer can be a frightening thing, especially if you are in the percentage of patients that have the more aggressive HER2 cancer. Knowing that there is another treatment that has been proven to be effective against those types of cancers brings increased hope of survival to these women and men.
Article Source : www.womenbrands.com
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer
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