Doug, the FISH test looks at how many copies of the HER2 gene are in the tissue sample; normally we have 2 copies of each gene, but us HER2+'s have extra. Your result shows that the sample they looked at had at 4+ copies. It means you are indeed highly positive for HER2 and if you need Herceptin down the road you would be eligible based on your FISH score. Here's a link to a page on the Test's and Treatments board which may help explain IHC(looks at how many HER2 receptors are on the surface of a cell) and FISH(goes into the DNA and looks at the genes).
I think it's a lot more complicated than I can explain!
FISH and IHC
http://www.her2support.org/her2fish.pdf
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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.
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FISH ratio?
Linear Mode
