How long does Herceptin treatment take?

Treatment with Herceptin generally lasts for 1 year unless side effects become unmanageable. Herceptin is only given as an intravenous (IV) infusion.

Is Herceptin a form of chemo?

Herceptin is an intravenous drug that is part of a chemotherapy regimen that is used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer, and for the treatment breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast (metastasized). It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies.

What happens after Herceptin treatment ends?

After your treatment ends, your doctor will test your heart every 6 months for at least 2 years. Seek emergency medical help if you’re taking Herceptin and you develop any symptoms of heart failure. They include: shortness of breath.

How long is chemo for HER2-positive?

Cycles can last anywhere from about two to four weeks, depending on the combination of drugs. Chemotherapy generally lasts about three to six months. The total length of chemotherapy treatment may vary depending on the stage of breast cancer and a number of other factors.

How long is chemo for HER2 positive?

How does Herceptin make you feel?

The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving Herceptin in the adjuvant and metastatic breast cancer setting are fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, dyspnea, rash, neutropenia, anemia, and myalgia.

Does Herceptin cause weight gain?

Symptoms to watch for include swelling of the ankles or legs, shortness of breath, cough, or weight gain of more than 5 pounds in less than 24 hours. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.

Will my hair grow back while on Herceptin?

Your hair may thin but you’re unlikely to lose all your hair. This usually starts after your first or second cycle of treatment. It is almost always temporary and your hair will grow back when you finish your treatment.

How long can you be on Herceptin?

Patients in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer should remain on Herceptin (trastuzumab) treatment for one year, and not two years or six months, according to a final analysis of the Phase III HERA trial, pharmaceutical company Roche and the Breast International Group announced today.

Is Herceptin immunotherapy or chemotherapy?

Herceptin is not a type of chemotherapy and is, therefore, not as “toxic” as chemotherapy because it has less of an effect on healthy, noncancerous cells. Herceptin is only used to treat cancers that have a high concentration of HER2 receptors.

Why is Herceptin for a year?

Long-Term Results Show 1 Year of Herceptin Best for Lowering Recurrence Risk of Early-Stage, HER2-Positive Disease. Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) is a targeted therapy medicine used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer.

Is Herceptin a chemo drug?

Herceptin is an intravenous drug that is part of a chemotherapy regimen that is used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer, and for the treatment breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast (metastasized). It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. A cancer cell has various receptors on its surface.