Hi Kimber; What you're looking at is the result of your FISH test on your tumor sample. Here's an abbreviated explanation of how FISH is interpreted along with a link to a page from the "Tests and Treatments" section of this site which has a more detailed analysis of FISH and IHC. Hope this helps!
FISH and IHC http://www.her2support.org/her2fish.pdf
<O  </O
- The HER2 gene is located on chromosome 17 and encodes the HER2 protein.
- FISH employs probes determine HER2 gene amplification.
- Results are expressed as a ratio of the number of HER2 gene copies per number of chromosome 17 copies.
- HER2 gene amplified is described by FISH as 2 or greater.
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
|
Linear Mode
