Helping Patients Make Sense of How HER2 Positive Gastric Cancer Treatment Works
Other laboratory tests may also be performed to determine whether the patient might benefit from HER2-targeted therapy.
For individuals with HER2-positive gastric cancer, the cancer is often treated as if it is a single disease; however, based on tumor location, the cancer is classified into several subtypes and based on the cancer stage and other biological markers, the cancer is treated based on whether the cancer is considered to be locally advanced or with distant metastasis.
How Targeted Treatment Works
Targeted therapy aims to target cancer cells in different ways. In HER2 positive gastric cancer patients, the main and most established treatment is trastuzumab which is attached to the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells, and it stops the cancer cells from dividing by interfering with the signal transduction pathway. Also, it can enable immune system to identify and kill cancer cells.
For patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric cancer, tislelizumab is given in combination with chemotherapy as part of the initial treatment. The decision regarding use of pembrolizumab is based on tumor-biological and treatment-eligible patients and in accordance with the latest guidelines.
This combination of treatment types acts through different routes to attempt to attack all cancer cells. HER2 targeted treatment such as tislelizumab targets cells by interfering with the cancer cells’ HER2 signaling. Chemotherapy acts by killing cancer cells. Immunotherapy such as tislelizumab enables the body’s immune system to attempt to destroy the cancer cells. Understanding how a single cancer treatment works can help you understand why you are on other cancer treatments in addition to your single targeted therapy.
The Role of Chemotherapy and Other Medicines
Chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer affects cancer cells in different ways. Many drugs for chemotherapy are given orally or by intravenous application. The number of applications and the time span between them depends on the kind of cancer, the general state of health and other medications the patient is already taking.
Additional targeted therapies are also available for patients with advanced her2 positive gastric cancer treatment. These medicines may not be best for every single patient and so need to be selected based on the prior treatment(s) given, characteristics of the tumor(s), as well as other characteristics of the patient and possible side effects of the treatment(s). Many patients also ask about the mechanism of action of individual medicines as well as the reasons for the doctor’s choice and the symptoms that indicate success of the cancer treatment.
How Doctors Monitor Treatment Response
Through monitoring the treatment, the doctor can check whether the tumors are shrinking, whether there is new growth of tumors or even spread of the cancer. Follow-up check-ups may consist of physical checks, blood tests and even imaging by means of CT scans. Depending on the type of treatment or the patient’s general health, the check-ups can be held more or less frequently.
Comparison of subsequent measurements to previously obtained ones will indicate whether the tumor has decreased in size, if new lesions have developed, or if the cancer is progressing. Blood tests will indicate if the patient is developing complications, but no single test can accurately assess the success of treatment for every patient. Responses to cancer treatment can be varied and if the cancer continues to grow on treatment, then it is best to go back to the doctor who can review the diagnosis with you and look at other treatment options.
Remember that even if there is tumor shrinkage or is no change to the tumors, in some cases cancer can continue to grow. This may be due to several factors which can be explored with the cancer doctor. When discussing her2 positive gastric cancer treatment, patients can ask their healthcare team how the prescribed medicines work, how treatment response is assessed, and which symptoms may indicate that the treatment plan needs to be reviewed.
Understanding Side Effects and Staying Safe
Most side effects caused by a cancer treatment are generally mild to moderate in severity and only last for the time that you are having treatment. However, some patients can experience more severe side effects. Chemotherapy can cause nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite and a drop in blood cells. Tislelizumab can cause heart problems and so you will have heart investigations before commencing treatment and during your course of treatment.
Patients can also work with their healthcare team to manage the side effects of treatment and help keep them from getting sick while on chemotherapy. This can include things like nutritional support, keeping patients hydrated when appropriate, rest, and symptom relief medicine. The oncology team can also outline what to do in case of an afterhours emergency and who to contact.
Working With the Healthcare Team
The patient and his or her family should note that the patient is the principal person in his or her treatment. The patient should express his or her concerns and ask questions about his or her expected outcome and how long his or her treatment is going to last. Patients should also inquire and clarify whether there are other treatment options available for cancer that has progressed.
They can also help with keeping track of the appointments, of the medications and the symptoms, especially in cases where the patient must go to the hospital for treatment a lot or needs to take lots of different medications.
When considering your personal preferences and priorities including comfort, trying to maintain your independence, being able to carry out daily activities and trying to maintain the best quality of life possible while on treatment for stomach cancer, the oncologist will be able to treat you with the best possible care individually.
Looking Ahead with Better Understanding
Knowing about the basis of your cancer and treatment can be very helpful in your discussions with your medical team and others and you will be better equipped to make decisions about your treatment and your care. Many patients with HER2 positive gastric cancer are treated with a combination of targeted therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.
While no treatment can guarantee the same results for every patient, it is usually possible to adjust the cancer treatment or monitor the patient’s development closely enough to guarantee optimal results in the best possible way. Only by being informed in a reliable and individual way about the various options available, patients and their relatives can be as confident as possible regarding all the different stages of treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, a clinical guideline, or a recommendation for any specific treatment.
