Her2+++ at dx now Her2 neg???
 

Initially at dx I was Her2+++. They did an IHC test on breast tumor tissue. In Feb. 2004 I had a broncoscopy done and they did another IHC test this time on lung tumor tissue and was Her+++. Recently had another broncoscopy done due to some plural effusion on rt. lung and they did another IHC test this time it said I was Her negative. I know about the FISH test but never got one. My onc. dosen't seem to want to give me a FISH test saying that at the 3rd broncoscopy that they might have picked up some more Her negative cells than before but she still thinks I have some postive Her2 cells and continues to give me Herceptin weekly along with Abraxane.

I called the lab who did the last test and they were eager to do a FISH test but they will do it on the last bronc. sample not my original breast biopsy. Should I have a FISH done on the original as well? I haven't got the results yet I heard it takes a while. Also is it possible to switch from Her+++ status to negative? What I think is the lab made an error. Hope

Yes, I would want to know what the FISH results would show. My IHC was Her2++, which is "in between" but the FISH was 8.6 which is strongly positive.
I would prefer the original speciman.........

I do know of a lady who was strongly Her2+, but 6 years later the cancer had gone to a muscle, then the lungs, and test results were Her2 negative. That was the first I had ever heard of it changing. She said, yes, her onc said it is possible for the cancer to change.

Would the PTEN test be of help? There has been discussion on this board regarding that test. You could read that for more information.

Blessings....