Her2Neu - Definitions 101 (NED, etc.)

[weezie1053]

Reading others emails and signatures, I would like to show my ignorance and ask a couple of questions I have been refraining from asking until now.

First question: I have pretty much figured out NED implies "cancer free," but what does the abbreviation NED stand for?

Next, there are a lot of discussions regarding the IHC and Fish scores and/or readings. I have looked through copies of my physicians' typed notes dating back to my diagnosis and subsequent prognosis, and I cannot find any information regarding my IHC or Fish? Do these factors fluctuate or is this something related solely to your initial diagnosis? I told my Oncologist about this website, and he thinks it is great that I am wanting to learn as much as I can absorb, but I think my brain is in overload and I am having trouble following the IHC and the Fish lingo.

Thanks again. Talk to you gals soon. I have to get up and work in the a.m.

Louise

[hutchibk]

Let's see if I can get the ball rolling here. We should write a dictionary to be posted on the site!

NED = No evidence of disease


I am also not very savvy about the FISH stuff... so would love to hear those definitions!

[suzan w]

Hi there! FISH=fluorescence in situ hybridization
ICH= immunohistochemistry
the FISH test is considered to be the most accurate
I believe these tests are done on the original tumor at time of diagnosis.