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AlaskaAngel · 02-04-2006, 10:07 PM

Thanks, Sassy! Hopefully they will figure out what the problem is!

Just to put this in the record for posterity:

ASK A CANCER SPECIALIST

HER2-positive breast cancer

Q.

A friend of mine has "HERS" breast cancer. What does that mean?
Terry/ Arizona

A.

You're probably referring to HER2-positive breast cancer — a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about one of every three breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer.

HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. They're also less responsive to hormone treatment. However, two treatments that may be effective against HER2-positive breast cancer are:

<LI class=doublespace>Trastuzumab (Herceptin) — a drug that targets HER2 — may slow the growth of the cancer and even decrease its size. Herceptin may be used as a treatment by itself or combined with chemotherapy. A study published in 2005 also found that Herceptin can reduce breast cancer recurrence by as much as 50 percent.
Certain chemotherapy medications, such as combinations of anthracycline drugs (doxorubicin, epirubicin).

Breast tissue can be tested for HER2. But routine testing of all breast cancers for HER2 protein at initial diagnosis isn't recommended because the results don't affect treatment decisions. However, if the cancer returns or spreads (metastasizes), a doctor will likely recommend testing for HER2.

02-04-2006, 10:07 PM	#8
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Thanks, Sassy! Hopefully they will figure out what the problem is! Just to put this in the record for posterity: ASK A CANCER SPECIALIST HER2-positive breast cancer Q. A friend of mine has "HERS" breast cancer. What does that mean? Terry/ Arizona A. You're probably referring to HER2-positive breast cancer — a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about one of every three breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. They're also less responsive to hormone treatment. However, two treatments that may be effective against HER2-positive breast cancer are: <LI class=doublespace>Trastuzumab (Herceptin) — a drug that targets HER2 — may slow the growth of the cancer and even decrease its size. Herceptin may be used as a treatment by itself or combined with chemotherapy. A study published in 2005 also found that Herceptin can reduce breast cancer recurrence by as much as 50 percent. Certain chemotherapy medications, such as combinations of anthracycline drugs (doxorubicin, epirubicin). Breast tissue can be tested for HER2. But routine testing of all breast cancers for HER2 protein at initial diagnosis isn't recommended because the results don't affect treatment decisions. However, if the cancer returns or spreads (metastasizes), a doctor will likely recommend testing for HER2.