HER2NEU Positive

happyrock · Guest

I am HER2NEU positive, ER-. What I am confused about is this. When you are her2neu + is your survial rate lower? It is so confusing. I had five positive lymph nodes, invasive ductal, and had lumpectomy 5cm tumor.

Now I have an infection in my breast, scared and confused.

sam52 · Regular Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 21 Location: London, UK

Hi Happyrock - Her2+ tumors tend to be more aggressive - but the good news is that there is a good treatment in the form of Herceptin - you should ask to enrol on a trial for this, as it is still only prescribed for advanced bc.
BTW - was your Her2 status diagnosed with the IHC test ? I know that this can give false positives.If so, ask to be retested with the more accurate FISH test.
It is all very confusing at first - you will feel better once your treatment protocol has been worked out.
Sam
_________________
dx bc Oct 2001
tx - mast, chemo(FEC+taxotere), 25 rads.Now on tamoxifen

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi Happyrock,

I agree with Sam. There is a higher chance of recurrence....but you never know because lots of people who are her2neu negative and ER PR positive still have recurrences.

I think the stage and lymph node status is actually the most important factor.

Here is a good site for her2neu information: www.her2support.org The ladies here share information.

Hugs,

Margie

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Her2NEU positive tumors are more aggressive and thus have worse prognosis. These tumors usually respond to a targeted medication called Herceptin (trastuzumab) in addition to other chemotherapy agents.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

susanp · Guest

Hi happyrock. I'm also HER2 positive, ER-, PR+, 8cm tumor, 1 node +. I enrolled in a trial and finished all my treatments this past July '04. My chemo was 4x AC, then 12x Taxol & Herceptin (weekly), then 40x Herceptin alone (weekly). If you decide to go this route, the best advice I will give you is to keep your eye on your ejection fraction (score from MUGA scan). I started out low (55) before chemo even began and slowly declined. When I got to 51 I insisted on being referred to a cardiologist, not because that's a dangerously low number, but because if you fall below 50 you are booted out of the trial and can't finish out the Herceptin. The cardiologist put me on two meds, which I had to have approved by the trial folks, and I did fine and was able to get every last drop of Herceptin! So far all is well and I am considered NED (no evidence of disease).
So are you on antibiotics for your infection? Let us know what treatment plan you decide on. Best of luck to you.
Susan

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