Pathology Report

[cjleslie]

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, 3/26.  4/1 received my path report.  It states Estroben 90% positibe which I know is good.  Is Progesterone 50% positive and HER-2/neu rated 2+ good also?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear cjleslie:  Estrogen receptors and Progesterone receptors are often lumped into one category and if positive place the breast cancer into the category of hormone receptor positive breast cancer.  This means that hormone therapy (the exact drug depends on the individual situation) will likely be recommended as part of the treatment plan.  A Her-2 rating of 2+ suggests that the testing for this protein was done with a method called immunohistochemistry.  In this method, a 0 or 1+ is considered negative and  3+ is considered positive.  A 2+ score is usually considered equivocal and testing by another method may be recommended.   A positive HER-2 may be associated with a more aggressive cancer and helps to direct which drugs may be helpful to treat the disease.  Herceptin, for example, is only used in HER-2 positive breast cancers.   Another method of testing for HER-2/neu is called "FISH".   The FISH test looks for copies of the HER-2 gene and is  usually reported as positive or negative.  This method may help to clarify whether or not this cancer is HER-2 positive.

[Callygee]

Hey CJLeslie. I was diagnosed with ER & PR positive & Her2neu +3 last August. The Her2neu test was an IHC (immunohistochemistry) at a local hospital. I transferred to a larger system & asked for a FISH Assay test, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU INSIST ON THIS!!!! Communications and test results for my FISH were delayed, then misplaced and I received wrong chemotherapy for 3 rounds. The moral of the story is: Ask for this test, ASK FOR RESULTS and get copies of ALL your results for every test and keep them in a folder.
The presence of Estrogen and Progesterone in that nasty little cancer is a good thing. It means that the cancer will likely respond to hormone therapies. Your Her2neu +2 is not definitive either way. You need that test. IF it is positive it means the cancer is more aggressive BUT WAIT! The chemotherapy, Herceptin targets this receptor so very successfully, so it can be addressed successfully. If you are Her2neu negative, that's even better. You will prevail! You will get through all this, and you will know jargon and words you never wanted to know. So have faith in yourself and move through this. WE are all standing next to you, Cally