Triple positive her2 +

djr

Triple positive her2 +

djr

can some one help me and explain the difference between triple positve and triple negative.. i think i was told my cancer was aggressive because it was positve for everthing and grade 3... What does grade 3 mean as well??

Thank you..

xoxo 

swimangel72

Hi djr - a triple positive tumor means your cancer is postive for ER, PR and Her2..........I'm in the same category. You'll need to concentrate on the fact that you're Her2+ = because that protein aberration is most likely the driving force behind your tumor, making it aggressive. Your oncologist should be able to explain all this to you - you will likely need to go on Herceptin a drug that combats the Her2+ protein - it is usually administered with a chemo drug. I'm taking Herceptin with Navelbine every two weeks for 4 months, then I'll continue on Herceptin for the rest of the year. Also I'll be taking Arimidex (an anti-estrogen pill) for 5 years which is necessary because I'm post-menapausal and Er+.

A tumor that is a Grade 3 is pretty aggressive - it is determined by how different the cancer cells look from normal breast cells. I'm a Grade 1 because my cells were "well differentiated" - check out this link to read the definition of Grade:

http://www.breastcancer.org/dictionary/g/grade_t.jsp

I hope this answers some of your questions - search around this web site and you'll find explanations to any other terms you aren't familiar with. Good luck with your treatments!

Pharmmom

I am just like you and that was 6 years ago.  Back then Herceptin was on clinical trials.  I did not get it.  I had A/C and Taxotere.  I took tamoxifen and now arimidex.  I am doing well.  Don't worry about the grade and the her2 status.  You need to be aware but dont let it make you nuts.  I brought it up to my surgeon (who is excellent by the way).  He basically shrugged about the her2 and said I was being very aggressive with my treatment and had a great chance.  Thats the way I look at it and I hope you will too.  I was 38 when diagnosed and today am celebrating my 44th birthday.  Hang in there!

All the best

Barb

djr

Thanks for the comments lady it explains alot.. 

Annemarie85022

I am triple pos had double mastectomy 3 weeks ago. Tumor was 5 8cm with 4 surrounding tumors under 2cm. Seven of 11 lymph nodes were tumor. Doc wants me on 12 months chemo 6 months radiation ovaries removed and double hormone blockers. I'm going for 2nd opinion seems like 12 months chemo will kill me in itself I'm stage 3c. I don't feel sick not before it after my diagnosis/surgery. I'm 46. Healthy has anyone heard of 52 weeks of chemo??

Tomboy

but what does that mean, 'double hormone blockers'????

Annemarie85022

Kaby, yes the doc said TCH (Taxotere, cyclophosphamide and Herceptin) for 6 months, then Herceptin for an additional 6 months along with removal of my ovaries, radiation and Progesteron/Estrogen blockers.  If you can believe it, I had a hysterectomy May 2014 and we decided to leave the ovaries because I didn't want to go on hormone therapy.  Now 4 months later they need to be removed due to ER Positive.  It's been a heck of a year.  It's all new to me, I'm strong and positive -   It looks like you went through your treatment in 2010, do you go through any treatments or does the post treatment only consist of doctor check ups?