Question about metastatic cancer...?

Question

I just found out earlier tonight that my mom was diagnosed today with metastatic breast cancer to the hip. Her original breast cancer was diagnosed 1999. She had radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. In 2005, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to the lungs. Near the end of her chemo, she contracted a blood infection which almost killed her. She had to stop treatments because the antibiotic she was on 24/7 through an IV was so strong she couldn't take her chemo at the same time, which in turn let more cancer spread in her lung. Since her first bout with lung cancer (minus the 3 months she was taken off for antibiotics) she has been on weekly chemo and herceptin IV drip once a week. I don't really know what I am asking here, but I'm just looking for some answers anyone has for anything she's been though. If she's been getting treatments for this long, and herceptin, which is a medicine to pretty much keep you in remission, why is it still spreading?

Answer 1

Cancer cells adapt. It's possible some are Herceptin resistant. Also, Herceptin is a chimeric antibody with some sequences from mice. Antibodies can from to the mouse poretion of the antibody.

As the manufacturer's website says, "Because everyone is different, it is not possible to predict what side effects any one person will have. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor."

Answer 2

Unfortunately, cancer can be very tricky like that. Some people get lucky and it doesn't spread, othre times they kill most of it off but a few remaining cancer cells travel through the blood stream then unfortunately multiply thus spreading the cancer.

Your mother sounds like an incredibly strong woman from surviving from all of that. My deepest sympathies to you both, but I must admit shes quite an insipring woman. As are yourself for staying strong and supportive through it all.

Have faith and stay strong.