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Herceptin more effective after two years?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from SFiet: I have been taking Herceptin for one year and want to know if the new clinical trial results now suggest that 2 years of treatment is better. I had early-detected breast cancer with no lymph node involvement. Any news on whether I will be taking the drug for another year?
Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: At this point, we don't know the optimal duration for treatment with Herceptin in people who do not have metastatic breast cancer. There is an ongoing study comparing one year of Herceptin to 2 years of Herceptin in people following surgery who have no evidence of disease elsewhere in their bodies. Treatment in this setting is called adjuvant treatment. Given that you had no lymph node involvement, my recommendation in this setting in general would be to give the year-long course, but talk this over with your doctor.

On Wednesday, December 20, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2006. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the newest research on breast cancer treatment, side effects, risk of recurrence, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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