What Happens During Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer
Herceptin is one of a group of drugs used in targeted therapy. Tykerb is another one that may be used to treat breast cancer. These drugs specifically target changes in cancer cells. Herceptin is given through an intravenous (IV) injection into your vein. It will take 30 to 90 minutes to get your full dose. You can usually have this done as an outpatient.
Tykerb is given as a pill that you take at home in two- or three-week cycles. It is taken once a day at least one hour before or one hour after a meal.
Targeted therapy drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy drugs. Because they target particular cells, they tend to be less damaging to healthy cells than other types of treatment and usually have less severe side effects. Ask your doctor which side effects you are more likely to experience. This list of side effects is listed alphabetically:
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Chills
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Diarrhea
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Fever
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Rashes
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Trouble breathing
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Vomiting
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Weakness
If you have trouble breathing, leg swelling, or feel extremely fatigued, call your doctor immediately. A possible serious side effect of these drugs is heart damage that may lead to congestive heart failure. For many women, this is a temporary condition that gets better when the drug is stopped. It appears that the risks for heart problems are higher when certain chemotherapy drugs are given along with the more common targeted therapies used for breast cancer.
You may find that most side effects are less severe after your first treatment. They usually go away or get better within a few weeks after your treatment ends. If you're having uncomfortable side effects, tell your doctor or nurse so that they can help you ease them.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Foster, Sara M., RN, MPH
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stump-Sutliff, Kimberly RN, MSN, AOCNS
Last Annual Review Date:
11/9/2011
© 2012 Krames StayWell, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.