About Herceptin and Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment

The information in these sections can help you and your loved ones understand what HER2+ breast cancer is and how the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer with Herceptin plus chemotherapy can increase the chance of living longer. In a clinical trial, Herceptin was shown to extend survival in women with HER2+, metastatic, late-stage breast cancer.

Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body. It also referred to as invasive or infiltrating.

You should keep in mind that you have a team of knowledgeable healthcare professionals ready to help you with treatments and support. This website does not replace the advice of your healthcare team, but explains why your physician would consider including Herceptin in your treatment plan and includes questions you may want to ask them.

What is Herceptin?

Herceptin is a therapy for women with breast cancer whose tumors have too much HER2 protein.

How Does Herceptin Work?

Herceptin is designed to target and destroy HER2+ cancer cells.

How to Take

Read more about Herceptin and how it is given.

Possible Benefits of Herceptin

A discussion of the possible benefits experienced by people who have received Herceptin plus chemotherapy and their importance.

Treatment Duration

Learn more about what to expect from treatment with Herceptin.

Possible Side Effects

Read more about possible side effects you may experience with Herceptin.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

A list of questions for you to print out and take with you to your doctor regarding breast cancer, your tumor status and to find out if Herceptin is right for you.

What important safety information should I know about Herceptin?

Herceptin treatment can result in heart problems, including those without symptoms (reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (congestive heart failure). The risk and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both Herceptin and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline). Your doctor will stop or strongly consider stopping Herceptin if you have a significant drop in your heart function.

You should be monitored for decreased heart function before your first dose of Herceptin, and frequently during the time you are receiving Herceptin and after your last dose of Herceptin. If you must permanently or temporarily stop Herceptin due to heart problems, you should be monitored more frequently.

Some patients have had serious infusion reactions and lung problems; fatal infusion reactions have been reported. In most cases, these reactions occurred during or within 24 hours of receiving Herceptin. Your Herceptin infusion should be temporarily stopped if you have shortness of breath or very low blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor you until these symptoms go away. If you have a severe allergic reaction, swelling, lung problems, inflammation of the lung, or severe shortness of breath, your doctor may need to completely stop your Herceptin treatment.

Worsening of low white blood cell counts associated with chemotherapy has also occurred.

Herceptin can cause low amniotic fluid levels and harm to the fetus when taken by a pregnant woman.

The most common side effects associated with Herceptin were fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, rash, low white and red blood cells, and muscle pain.

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.

Please see full prescribing information for Boxed WARNINGS and additional important safety information.

About Herceptin & Metastatic Breast Cancer