Its my understanding this applies to a better response to Herceptin only. However, it wasn't true with me. Herceptin didn't do much, except perhaps I went longer without a recurrence, because I had a recurrence while on it. Its my understanding its not a cure it gives us more survivial time if it works. The IBC Dx. is quite different from rest of the BC's. Hugs, Sandy

I am also a 3+....on Herceptin and hoping it continues to work.

Sandy -- I don't know my her2+ number, but do know it's high. Is there a 5? I also have ibc. Is herceptin less effective with ibc? I was 1st dx 6/01. Have been fighting bone mets since 9/02. And this week now starting a new treatment, navelbine & herceptin. I'm very scared.

Mine was also +3 and I am responding wonderfully to taxotere/herceptin after recurrence in August of last year.

I am also 3+ positive

I'm a 3+, grade 3 tumor.

+3 here. So far responding well to Navelbine/Herceptin.

3+, ER/PR-, Grade 3,

HER2 2+ then retested with FISH report says HER2+ no numbers, but I believe weakly positive.
I'm 3 years without recurrence.

Hey everyone,

Wouldn't this be an interesting thread...

What is your her+ level?

Mine is at 3+, according to my pathology report.

I'm a plus 3 as well.

Jane

Also overexpressed +3.
Very high grade primary tumor as well.
As an aside - I read recently that those with +3 have a better response rate to some of the treatments. Was so in my case. Interesting, and I do not know why. Must ask my oncologist when I see him tomorrow.

I am also 3+ It seems that almost everyone responding to this thread has the same number!! Dx October 2002 - so far, so good.

I also am 3+, er/pr - last chemo was dec. o2, last herceptin was sept. 03. have pain in bones, scan was neg. in Dec. but tumor markers were slightly elevated. will go back to onc in March.

Ditto. It's my understanding that in order to receive Herceptin you must be 3+.

DX Novermber 2001
Her2 2+ retested by FISH - negative
Grade 3
ER-

Not taking Herceptin

HER2 level 3+++, ER/PR+, Stage IIIA, NED for the last year...keeping fingers crossed because I haven't been able to get Herceptin for the last 11 months.

I am a 3+ but ER/PR negative and its better to be positive then you have tomoxafin. Negative leaves only Herceptin and if that doesn't work its keep trying different chemos. Hope this answers your question if not try me again! Hugs, Sandy

I was diagnosed in Aug. 2001, her2+ level 3
Had Herceptin for one year as part of a
Clinical Trial. Taking Femara now.
So far no recurrance, doing very well.

I am at "strongly 3+", er/pr-. I wonder which test was used to determine each one's status, FISH or IHC?
I've talked to the lab which did my test and the tech I spoke with couldn't find the info for me but we surmised mine was tested using IHC, as this was back in '99 and FISH wasn't in standard use then. However, the tissue bank where my tissue is stored holds it for 20 years so I can arrange to have it tested again if necessary. I may have it done as a precaution to save time should I ever want to enter a trial, as all the trials I read about specify FISH.
Lolly