Retesting borderline FISH

[Unregistered]

I have been struggling with the decision about treatment with Herceptin, due to tumor (January 2004, 2.8 cm., er/pr negative, no nodes) being reported as 2.1 amplified by FISH. My oncologist said, "It might be a good idea" to take Herceptin. In the course of gathering information on this question, I found this site and thank all of you for sharing your valuable insights.
Ultimately, I decided to seek a second opinion and contacted UCLA breast center. The recommendation was to have the tumor retested for Her2/neu. I was totally surprised to find that this "borderline positive" tumor was found to be negative at 1.01 using a dual FISH test. The second pathology opinion made the Herceptin decision much easier but I believe that even if the results had been to confirm the earlier testing, the additional information would have been very helpful in the decision making process.
Warm regards to all.

[saleboat]

Did you have an IHC test done as well? It is possible to be positive (3+) on IHC and negative on FSH test and still do very well with Herceptin. I would not rely on the FSH test alone to determine HER2 status.

Jen

[Unregistered]

Thank you for the information. The first test done at UCLA was listed as the DAKO Hercep test, which showed a 2+. The pathologist's note says it is a weak overexpression and should be retested by FISH. Do you have any additional thoughts?

[Maggie]

My hospital tested using IHC, so I had to have a frozen piece of my tumor sent for positive FISH testing, even thought they knew it was. It was positive!
I'm receiving Herceptin every three weeks for a year! I hope!!! I Had my second last week with no problems. I am getting 2 Tylenol and Benadryl IV first. I sleep most of the time! It's not a pretty sight! ;)

[lisamalone]

i tested positive for her2 by ihc as a 2+. they did a FISH and i tested 1.8. i am also ER+ and PR+. they can't stage my cancer because the surgeon didn't get any nodes.based on these facts i will be having chemo weekly for 16 weeks with Herceptin and then take the Herceptin for 40 weeks. i have heard great things about herceptin. did you have an oncotype DX? keep seeking knowledge-good luck!
lisa

[lisamalone]

i am ER 90% and PR 90% her2/neu + and oncotype dx score of 23 or 15%. my chemotherapy is 16 weeks of taxotere and carboplatin and herceptin with a cycle of 3 weeks. i am being refered to as triple positive and the chemo is for advanced metastisic cancer. without having any lymph nodes to test for staging i am wanting to know if anyone knows if this is considered advanced metastisic cancer and what is prognosis if you are triple positive? any help would be appreciated.
best to all
lisa

[sassy]

I too am triple positive, which means we have more treatment options available. We can be treated with Herceptin for her2+ and can be treated with aromatase inhibitors in the postmenopausal setting( ie, Arimidex, Femara). Triple positive seems to have a more favorable prognosis.

As for staging, have you had any scans or tests done to determine if there is metastisis?

Sassy
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