Her2-receptor positive breast cancer

What is HER2-positive breast cancer?

HER2-positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein helps breast cancer cells grow quickly. Breast cancer cells with higher than normal levels of HER2 are called HER2-positive.

Characteristics of HER2-positive breast cancer

• Fast-growing: HER2-positive breast cancers tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread and come back compared to HER2-negative breast cancers [6].
• Aggressive disease: It is associated with a more aggressive disease, which means it can grow and spread quickly [7].
• Higher risk of recurrence: HER2-positive breast cancer has a higher risk of coming back after treatment [8].

Symptoms of HER2-positive breast cancer

• A new lump or thickening in the breast, especially if only in one breast
• Changes in the shape or appearance of the nipple, including turning-in or inversion of the nipple
• A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast [2]

Prevalence of HER2-positive breast cancer

• Around 20-30% of breast cancer tumors have HER2 overexpression [7].

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Common Signs and Symptoms of HER2-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

HER2-positive breast cancer can cause a range of symptoms, which may vary from person to person. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• A lump or thickening in the breast: This is often the first symptom of breast cancer, and it's usually felt by the patient themselves (1).
• Changes in the size, shape, or contour of the breast: Some patients may notice a change in the size or shape of their breast, which can be a sign of cancer (2).
• Breast pain or tenderness: Pain or tenderness in the breast or nipple area is another common symptom (3).
• Skin irritation or dimpling: In some cases, the skin overlying the tumor may become irritated or develop a dimpled appearance (4).
• Nipple discharge or changes: Some patients may experience nipple discharge or notice changes in the shape or color of their nipple (5).

Other symptoms that may occur

In addition to these common signs and symptoms, some patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may also experience:

• Fatigue or tiredness
• Hair loss
• General pain or discomfort

It's essential to note that not all women with HER2-positive breast cancer will experience these symptoms. If you're concerned about your breast health or have noticed any unusual changes, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References:

1. [1] A change in the size, shape or contour of your breast.

Diagnostic Tests for HER2-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

HER2-positive breast cancer can be diagnosed using various tests that detect the presence of excess HER2 proteins or genes in cancer cells. Here are some common diagnostic tests used to determine HER2 status:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Test: This test detects overexpression of the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells. A score of 3+ indicates high levels of HER2, while scores of 1+ or 2+ may indicate lower levels [5][6].
• Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Test: This test detects the number of copies of the HER2 gene in cancer cells. A positive result indicates that the cancer is HER2-positive [7][8].
• Tumor Marker Tests: These tests measure the levels of HER2 proteins or genes in cancer cells to determine HER2 status [4][9].

How Diagnostic Tests Work

Diagnostic tests for HER2-positive breast cancer involve analyzing a sample of tumor tissue taken from a biopsy or surgery. The tests detect excess HER2 proteins or genes, which indicate that the cancer is HER2-positive.

• IHC Test: This test uses antibodies to bind to HER2 proteins on the surface of cancer cells. A score of 3+ indicates high levels of HER2 [5].
• FISH Test: This test uses fluorescent dyes to detect the number of copies of the HER2 gene in cancer cells. A positive result indicates that the cancer is HER2-positive [7].

Importance of Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests for HER2-positive breast cancer are crucial for determining the best course of treatment. Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may benefit from targeted therapies that specifically target the HER2 protein.

• Targeted Therapies: These therapies, such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab, can help slow or stop the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer [10][11].

References

[1] Sep 19, 2023 — HER2 tumor marker tests are mostly used to find out whether certain cancers are HER2 positive or negative.

[2] Nov 13, 2024 — Two of the most common tests are the IHC test and the FISH test.

[3] by N Dendukuri · 2007 · Cited by 160 — There are 2 tests commonly used to determine HER2 status (Box 1): immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

[4] Nov 13, 2024 — Tumor marker tests measure the levels of HER2 proteins or genes in cancer cells.

[5] Sep 19, 2023 — A score of 3+ on the IHC test indicates high levels of HER2.

[6] by N Dendukuri · 2007 · Cited by 160 — Scores of 1+ or 2+ on the IHC test may indicate lower levels of HER2.

[7] Sep 19, 2023 — The FISH test detects the number of copies of the HER2 gene in cancer cells.

[8] Nov 13, 2024 — A positive result on the FISH test indicates that the cancer is HER2-positive.

[9] Nov 13, 2024 — Tumor marker tests measure the levels of HER2 proteins or genes in cancer cells.

[10] Some breast cancers are HER2-positive. This means that the cancer cells have high levels of HER2 protein (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) on their surface, which helps them grow faster.

[11] What does it mean to test HER2 status in breast cancer? After a breast cancer diagnosis, the oncologist may recommend testing the tumor for HER2 protein levels.

Treatment Options for HER2-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

HER2-receptor positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that has an overexpression or amplification of the HER2/neu gene, leading to excessive growth and proliferation of cancer cells. The treatment options for this type of cancer have evolved significantly in recent years.

Targeted Therapies

• Trastuzumab (Herceptin): This is a monoclonal antibody that targets the HER2 protein on breast cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.
• Pertuzumab (Perjeta): Similar to trastuzumab, pertuzumab targets the HER2 protein but works by blocking a different part of the receptor. It is often used in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy.
• Neratinib (Nerlynx): This is a kinase inhibitor that blocks the activity of the HER2 protein

Understanding HER2-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

HER2-receptor positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that has higher than normal levels of the HER2 protein on its surface. This condition can lead to faster growth and spread of cancer cells compared to other types of breast cancer.

Key Characteristics:

• Aggressive Nature: HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive and grow faster than other types of breast cancer [8].
• Higher Risk of Spread: These cancers are also more likely to spread and come back compared to HER2-negative breast cancers [8].
• Hormone Receptor Status: HER2-positive breast cancer may be hormone receptor positive, meaning it needs hormones like estrogen and progesterone to grow and reproduce [9].

Differential Diagnosis

In the context of breast cancer diagnosis, differential diagnosis refers to the process of ruling out other possible causes or types of cancer. For HER2-receptor positive breast cancer, the following conditions may be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• HER2-negative breast cancer: This is a type of breast cancer that does not have high levels of the HER2 protein on its surface.
• Other types of aggressive breast cancers: Such as triple-negative breast cancer or inflammatory breast cancer.

Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis of HER2-receptor positive breast cancer is crucial for determining the best course of treatment. Treatment options may include targeted therapies that specifically target the HER2 protein, in addition to traditional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy.

References:

[8] Nov 13, 2024 — HER2-positive breast cancers tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread and come back compared to HER2-negative breast cancers. [9] HER2 positive breast cancer may be hormone receptor positive (meaning it needs hormones oestrogen and/or progesterone to grow and reproduce) or hormone receptor negative.