Herceptin: Combination Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

It anticipated that breast cancer will affect nearly one out of every seven women. With these statistics, all women should be educated in the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options available for breast cancer. Of worthy note, is the breast cancer treatment known as Herceptin, an intravenous administered drug in the fight against mestatic breast cancer. Understanding the use of Herceptin, in combination with chemotherapy, the potential side effects and health benefits, will provide for a more effective outcome in the fight against breast cancer.

Herceptin, manufactured and distributed by Genentech, Inc., lends it success, in the fight against breast cancer, to the ability to attach to specific breast cancer cells, thereby preventing replication through division and growth. By modifying these target cells, Herceptin assists the immune system in destroying the cancer cells thereby remedying the existing cancer. Additionally, through clinical trial, Herceptin, when used in combination with chemotherapy, may prove beneficial in the fight against colon, prostate and ovarian cancer as well.

Dosing of Herceptin, through IV, generally takes 90 minutes with follow up and maintenance cancer therapy of Herceptin administered in 30 minute sessions, twice per week. As a general rule, Herceptin is used in combination with standard chemotherapy treatments and is not a medication which can be stored at home. Additionally, when using Herceptin with breast cancer chemotherapy, a dose should never be missed as the Herceptin will lose effectiveness if not maintained on a 30 minute maintenance program, twice weekly.

As with any FDA approved breast cancer treatment, Herceptin does not come without side effects. Most common side effects, as with any breast cancer treatment, may include significant signs of anemia resulting in extreme fatigue and lethargy. In some breast cancer patients, using Herceptin for breast cancer treatment, an onset of diarrhea and upper respiratory infections are also common.