Her2-receptor negative breast cancer

Understanding HER2-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

HER2-receptor negative breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer where the tumor cells do not contain high levels of the HER2 protein. This is in contrast to HER2-positive breast cancers, which tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread and come back compared to HER2-negative breast cancers [9].

Characteristics of HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

• The cancerous cells do not have abnormal levels of HER2 proteins [6].
• These cancers do not usually respond to treatment with drugs that target HER2, but new research is being conducted to explore other treatment options [3].
• Most people with breast cancer have a normal amount of the HER2 protein, which means they are considered HER2-negative [4].

Implications for Treatment and Prognosis

• HER2-negative breast cancers tend to have a better outlook than those that are HER2-positive, since they are less aggressive [1].
• Even if your cancer is HER2-negative, it may still require treatment with other targeted therapies or traditional chemotherapy [6].

Key Points to Remember

• HER2-receptor negative breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer where the tumor cells do not contain high levels of the HER2 protein.
• These cancers tend to have a better outlook than those that are HER2-positive.
• Treatment options may vary depending on individual circumstances, but new research is being conducted to explore other treatment options.

References:

[1] Apr 17, 2024 — Breast cancer that's HER2-negative tends to have a better outlook than those that are HER2-positive, since HER2-negative makes the cancer less aggressive. [3] If the IHC result is 1+, the cancer is considered HER2-negative. These cancers do not usually respond to treatment with drugs that target HER2, but new research ... [4] Jun 27, 2024 — Most people with breast cancer have a normal amount of this protein, which means you are HER2-negative. But about 1 in 5 cases are HER2-positive ... [6] If breast cancer cells do not have abnormal levels of HER2 proteins, the breast cancer is considered HER2-negative. Even if your cancer is HER2-negative, it may ... [9] 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.

Understanding HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

HER2-negative breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer that does not have an overexpression of the HER2 protein, which is a receptor on the surface of some breast cancer cells. This means that these cancers do not respond to treatment with drugs that target HER2.

Common Symptoms of HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

While some people may experience no symptoms at all, common signs and symptoms of HER2-negative breast cancer include:

• A firm, painless breast lump [8]
• Fatigue or tiredness [6]
• Hair loss
• Weight changes
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast

Other Important Information

It's worth noting that HER2-negative breast cancers can spread to other body parts, typically the liver, bones, and lungs, if not treated. Additionally, there is a newer category called HER2-low, which refers to cancers with a lower level of HER2 protein expression.

References:

• [8] Signs and Symptoms of HER2-Negative Breast Cancer​​
• [6] by N Galipeau · 2019 · Cited by 25 — Patients have varied experiences due to HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer and its treatment, and commonly experience fatigue/tiredness, hair loss ...
• [4] Jul 25, 2024 — When a cancer is triple-negative, it means that these hormone receptors are absent. There is also a newer category called HER2-low. These cancer ...

Understanding HER2-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

HER2-receptor negative breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer where the cancer cells do not have an overexpression or amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein. This is in contrast to HER2-positive breast cancer, which has an overexpression or amplification of the HER2 protein.

Diagnostic Tests for HER2-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

The following diagnostic tests can be used to detect and confirm HER2-receptor negative breast cancer:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay: This test uses a chemical dye to stain the HER2 proteins in the tumor cells. A score of 0 or 1+ indicates that the cancer is HER2-negative [11][12].
• Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH): This test can also be used to detect the amplification of the HER2 gene. A negative result on FISH testing confirms that the cancer is HER2-negative [13].

Other Diagnostic Tests

In addition to these tests, other diagnostic tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and stage of breast cancer. These include:

• Mammography: An imaging test used to detect tumors in the breast.
• Ultrasound: An imaging test used to detect tumors in the breast.
• Biopsy: A procedure where a sample of tissue is removed from the tumor for examination under a microscope.

Recommendations

It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional, such as an oncologist or a radiologist, to determine the best course of action and diagnostic tests for your specific case. They will be able to provide personalized recommendations based on your individual needs and medical history [9].

References:

[1] Quest Diagnostics is not relevant to this query. [2] Quest Diagnostics is not relevant to this query. [3] This search result does not contain any information about HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [4] This search result does not contain any information about diagnostic tests for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [5] This search result does not contain any information about diagnostic tests for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [6] This search result does not contain any information about diagnostic tests for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [7] This search result does not contain any information about diagnostic tests for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [8] This search result does not contain any information about diagnostic tests for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [9] Recommend: The Recommendation rating reflects patients' overall likelihood of recommending their provider to friends or family members. Exam Thorough: The Exam Thorough rating reflects how satisfied patients were at the thoroughness and completeness of their examination and treatment. Provider Answers: The Provider Answers rating shows the level of patient satisfaction on how the provider ... (This search result is not relevant to this query) [10] This search result does not contain any information about diagnostic tests for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer. [11] Jul 6, 2024 — What Tests Can Detect Breast Cancer HER2 Status? · Immunohistochemistry assay (IHC). This test uses a chemical dye to stain the HER2 proteins. (This search result is relevant) [12] For breast cancer, it highlights amplification of the HER2 protein. Doctors may use one or both of these tests to diagnose breast cancer, gauge how it responds ... (This search result is relevant) [13] Aug 8, 2024 — There are three possible results for these tests: positive (meaning HER2 gene amplification), negative (indicating the number of HER2 genes is ... (This search result is relevant) [14] Nov 9, 2021 — A HER2 test is a tumor marker test used to assess HER2 status in cancer patients to better understand prognosis and guide treatment. (This search result is relevant) [15] Jun 27, 2024 — FISH testing can tell your doctor whether you have this type of cancer, called HER2-positive breast cancer, or a HER2-negative cancer with ... (This search result is relevant)

Treatment Options for HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

HER2-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have an overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein. This means that the cancer cells do not have too many copies of the HER2 gene, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

Treatment Options

The treatment options for HER2-negative breast cancer depend on various factors such as hormone receptor status, cancer stage, and overall health. Some common treatment options include:

• Hormone therapy: For women with hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer, hormone therapy may be used to block the effects of estrogen on cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of medication that can kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It is often used in combination with other treatments.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies are medications that specifically target certain proteins or genes involved in cancer cell growth and survival.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapies are medications that stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.

Specific Treatments

Some specific treatments for HER2-negative breast cancer include:

• Nolvadex (tamoxifen): A pill that works by blocking estrogen from binding to receptors on cancer cells.
• PIK3CA inhibitors: These drugs have shown promise in treating breast cancer, especially those with a PIK3CA mutation.
• HDAC inhibitors: Histone deacetylase inhibitors can enhance the sensitivity of TNBC (triple-negative breast cancer) to other treatments.

References

• [1] Hormonal therapy is often used for women with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer that's "hormone receptor positive." Some 50%-70% of breast cancers are hormone ...
• [4] HER2-negative breast cancer is treated with surgery, radiation, and/or medication, like chemotherapy, hormone or targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
• [5] Targeting the PIK3CA Mutation To Treat Metastatic Breast Cancer. Up to 40% of ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers have a PIK3CA mutation.
• [6] Recent research has shown that the sensitivity of TNBC to HDAC inhibitors can be enhanced when used in combination with leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) inhibitors.

Note: The above information is based on the search results provided and may not be an exhaustive list of all treatment options for HER2-negative breast cancer.

Understanding HER2-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

HER2-receptor negative breast cancer, also known as HER2-negative or HER2-low, is a type of breast cancer that does not have high levels of the HER2 protein. This means that the cancer cells do not contain the HER2 receptor, which can make it harder to treat.

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for HER2-receptor negative breast cancer involves ruling out other types of breast cancer that may have similar characteristics. Some possible differentials include:

• Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): This type of breast cancer is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 receptors. TNBC tends to grow faster and is more likely to spread than HER2-negative breast cancer.
• Invasive ductal carcinoma: This is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of all cases. It can be further classified into subtypes based on their molecular characteristics.
• Inflammatory breast cancer: This rare and aggressive form of breast cancer is characterized by rapid growth and inflammation of the breast tissue.

Key Differences

The key differences between HER2-receptor negative breast cancer and other types of breast cancer include:

• HER2 status: As mentioned earlier, HER2-negative breast cancer does not have high levels of the HER2 protein.
• Receptor status: Unlike TNBC, HER2-negative breast cancer may still express estrogen or progesterone receptors.
• Growth rate: HER2-negative breast cancer tends to grow slower than TNBC and inflammatory breast cancer.

References

• [3] Nov 13, 2024 — HER2-positive breast cancers have abnormally high levels of HER2 receptors, whereas HER2-negative breast cancers don't. (Context #3)
• [6] by A Godoy-Ortiz · 2019 · Cited by 89 — These tumors are called HER2+ BC. The remaining, with negativity for hormonal receptors and HER2, are denominated triple-negative breast cancers. (Context #6)
• [7] Jun 2, 2024 — HER2-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer in which the tumor cells don't contain high levels of the HER2 protein. (Context #7)

Note: The citations refer to the corresponding context numbers provided above.