I have just had my HER2 results back and been told levels very slightly raised above negative but not enough to be totally positive so I am assuming from this it’s classed as borderline ?
BCN explained that oncologist wants to have discussion with me before anything is set in stone with treatment and that I might well be facing chemo & rads & hormone therapy now feeling very much in a mixed up state. Other results were that tumour was grade 2 and ER 8 any advice ladies would be great ?
oh yep forgot to say oncologist appointment is next Tuesday
Just wondering if you may get more of a responsecif you move your query to the targeted treatment section or the just been diagnosed section.
Anyway, my cancer was stage 2, Er8, Her2+ and grade 3 (I think most Her2 + are grade 3 cells).
I think there are four types of testing available for her2. When my tumour was initially tested with the IHC test, the result came back 2+ and thus was classed as borderline…
(0 = negative, 1+=negative, 2+ = borderline and3+ = positive). When this happens, they will then undertake at least a second test.
Hence a further test was done called the FISH test which yields either a positive or negative result. My result was a positive and hence the need for chemo and herceptin.
That is great that you are meeting with Onco to discuss matters. As you have said the results were slightly above “negative”. it could be assumed that a FISH test has already been done. It may be a good idea to clarify which her2 tests have been undertaken. It could be that they further test the same sample using one of the other tests or obtain another sample for testing.
If not, then I suppose it is a case of weighing up the risks and benefits. Do you know if chemo is being recommended even if the her2 status is negative?
Your Oncology will have come across this situation before or at least know the research and what is considered to be best practice in these situations.
I hope everything is clarified and resolved for you at your appointment on Tuesday Zena.
WOW thank you so much for such an in-depth answer ?
To answer some of your points - I had lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed cancer completely removed and nodes clear which is great - ER8 and the HER2 originally came back borderline but further test has come back positive so now decision as per my post
Yep your right the statistics were from the NHS Predict site - the chemo they are suggesting is Paclitaxel
I have been given lots of information to read on the chemo drug and the Herceptin and the hormone therapy which I have read and now have better picture of what to expect
The more I am thinking about it the more I’m thinking to go with the chemo etc I feel that while its being offered I should do all I can to help prevent a recurrence happening and just accept that I’m in for a year or more of treatment to hopefully come out the other side feeling I’ve given it the best shot possible !
BCN spent ages with me yesterday and I think as much as I was trying to ask what she would do she obviously can’t give a definitive answer as it’s my decision to make - they have just given me all the info so I can make an informed decision.
If the predict site had had given a lower result the decision would have been so much easier as it would have been a no brainer !
Work have been fab had a long chat with my manager today and they are being totally supportive with which ever decision I make
thanks again for your input it has been very helpful and so good to speak with someone who’s been through this scary journey