FISH numbers? I"m at Project LEAD

michele ulmer · 03-01-2007, 06:01 PM

Hi, all. I'm at Project LEAD.I'm learning alot more then i thought! I'll fill you in when i get home. I have a question for a gal. i met here. What is everyone's FISH score and IHC? Let me know if your IHC was 2+ and took Herceptin thanks Michele Ulmer

aaklwalker · 03-01-2007, 07:33 PM

I was 2.1 and they are re-running path tests to determine if I am really her2/neu positive or negative. I will get this second round of results on Monday. I started herceptin in June - have had 2 recurrences of cancer and doctor took me off Herceptin 2 weeks ago. I learned today that the her2/neu stats of mets can vary 15% from the original tumor and that leads me to believe that mets pathology should be tested for her2/neu status as well.

Barbara2 · 03-01-2007, 08:14 PM

IHC 2+ FISH 8.6
I took late herceptin.

03-01-2007, 08:40 PM

FISH results 4.7

Karen Weixel · 03-01-2007, 09:40 PM

Hi Michele,

My FISH score was 6.3. I never had the IHC test.

Karen

Soccermom · 03-01-2007, 09:47 PM

Proud of you Michele!
IHC 3+++, FISH positive as well although I don't know the #

skeetur · 03-02-2007, 06:41 AM

Mine was 2.8+ on IHC. Haven't gotten FISHed yet. Hopefully soon.

03-02-2007, 09:28 AM

This may be the thread to ask this question, or perhaps I'll start another. Since learning that my FISH was 4.7, I've tried to ascertain through research on the internet and asking my doctors if a higher FISH means a less positive prognosis. I have been unable to find anything regarding this. I faintly remember finding some documentation to the effect that the higher the FISH the more effective herceptin, but even that is in some doubt. I would think there must have been some research done regarding FISH numbers. If anyone out there has information regarding this issue, please write. Thanks.

mcgle · 03-02-2007, 09:35 AM

Think my low FISH score was a factor in not getting herceptin. Don't think they give herceptin without chemo here in the UK.

Neither do we get the proliferation rate or the genetic make-up of the tumour. Wish we did.

It is such a minefield...

Mcgle

caya · 03-02-2007, 09:53 AM

My FISH was 10. Grace, I also remember reading about the FISH score being high was a good indicator for having a good response to Herceptin. I certainly hope so. I will be on Herceptin for a year, once every 3 weeks after my FEC-t chemo ( 3 rounds of FEC, then 3 rounds of T- Taxotere).

Regards to all
Caya

sherri · 03-02-2007, 10:02 AM

IHC 3+ and Herceptin 2 month after chemo for 1 year.

janet11 · 03-02-2007, 02:41 PM

IHC HER2 3+, FISH score was 7.

cafe1084 · 03-02-2007, 07:18 PM

Hi Michelle

Would love to be there with you...a goal for myself for next year! Have a great time!

her2 = 2.5 amplified
her2 copies per cell = 7.7
cen 17 copies per cell = 3.1

Stephanie C.

Melinda · 03-02-2007, 09:20 PM

MIchelle,
I was told by my ONC that FISH was either positive or negative... maybe you could help me understand the numbers associated with the FISHtest that others have posted. ONCO test was 23.
Just started TCH 6 rounds of TC and a year of H concurrently
Melinda

Kaye · 03-02-2007, 10:08 PM

I was her2+++ with IHC. I didn't have FSH test. My husband and I spoke with 2 of the pathologists about a month or so after my dx. They remembered my case very well because it was supposedly 'unusual.' I was told that if there was any doubt they would also give FSH test; however, both said they were 100% sure I was her2+ At that time they had only been routinely testing for Her2 for about a year. My surgeon told me that since they began the testing that I was only her 3rd patient (in a year) that had tested positive.
I had been rejected from clinical trial for Herceptin for early stage bc because I also have M.S. I was fortunate that my onc. allowed me Herceptin since I was not clinically dx'd stage IV. However, after getting a couple of 2nd opinions I am not so sure that I wasn't stage IV--at least in the earliest part at time of dx. I had at least 3 different types of aggressive b.c. with lymphovascular invasion, and I had elevated tumor markers--both CEA and CA 27-29 at time of dx. In addition I had a lesion in my liver--never quite identified. There were also alot of enlarged retroperitoneal nodes with the largest measuring 2.5 cm at its greatest width. There was alot of other stuff going on as well.

Jean · 03-02-2007, 10:18 PM

My fish score was 15...this really made me worry...
Dr. Slamon believes the higher the score the better for herceptin to work.
My onc here on the East coast is not sure that is so.

Jean

03-03-2007, 10:21 AM

Melinda--

Here is post from Kate to the same question on another thread:

"There are two tests for HER-2:

IHC test (IHC stands for ImmunoHistoChemistry) The IHC test shows if there is too much HER-2 receptor protein in the cancer cells. The results of the IHC test can be 0 (negative), 1+ (negative), 2+ (borderline), or 3+

FISH test (FISH stands for Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) The FISH test shows if there are too many copies of the HER-2 gene in the cancer cells. The results of the FISH test can be "positive" (extra copies) or "negative" (normal number of copies).

Find out which test for HER-2 you had. This is important. Only cancers that test IHC "3+" or FISH "positive" will respond well to therapy that works against HER-2. An IHC 2+ test result is called borderline. If you have a 2+ result, you can and should ask to have the tissue tested with the FISH test." End of Kate's post.

On that same thread, I noticed a response from another member stating that her doctor also said FISH is either "positive or negative; the actual numbers don't count." Her doctor recommended, instead, that she get the Oncogene test to see how aggressive the cancer might be. I was surprised by that, as my understanding has been that the Oncogene test is run only if a woman is ER or PR positive, and that it is not run for those, like so many of us, who are ER and PR negative and HER2 positive.

One other non-scientific response from me. I suspect that doctors say the FISH numbers don't count simply because they don't know if they do or they don't. Obviously, it counts if you have more than two copies of the gene, so it would seem intuitive that if you have many more copies it must mean something. I say this, knowing that I have more than double the normal, at 4.7.

astrid · 03-04-2007, 10:27 AM

IHC 2+ ; FISH 3.4; getting Herceptin every three weeks for a year June 06 to June 07

Marlys · 03-04-2007, 10:42 AM

I am Her2+++. Fish was not done.
Marlys

momdeeco · 04-23-2007, 09:58 AM

My Fish Test Was 7.4. I've Also Wondered About The Scores. My Oncologist Said It Didn't Make A Difference What The Score Was. (since Have Change Oncologist And Will Ask Her At My Next Visit.)
My Signature Is My Journey.