Medical Update - Biopsy Tests

On Thursday I had an my second CT scan (to determine the extent of the cancer's spread) and on Friday I had my third gastroscopy (in order to get more biopsy material). The biopsy samples have now been sent to Germany, where they will be tested for what is called HER2 receptors.

HER2 receptors are a type of cell-surface protein that signals the cell to divide and helps control normal cell growth, cell division, and cell survival. Apparently, only 10% of people have the HER2 receptor, and so this is what the pathologists in Germany are testing my biopsy samples for.

If I turn out to be HER2-positive, then I will be placed in a trial for the anti-cancer drug, Herceptin, which has had great success in defeating breast cancer. The trial is to see whether Herceptin will work just as effectively for other cancers, such as stomach cancer. But even if I do participate in the trial, it will be a double-blind trial. Only 50% of the participants will actually receive the Herceptin (together with the normal course of chemotherapy), while the other 50% will receive a placebo together with the chemotherapy (and there would be no way of me knowing at the time whether I am actually on Herceptin or not).

I will give you an update as soon as I know more details on the results of the biopsy tests.

---

*** Join the Prayer Firewall team!
*** Write to prayerfirewall@gmail.com