ER+PR-HER-

kal21

 if you are PR- the tamoxifen will NOT help. hard to explain why here. I don't have the info right in front of me now, or I would explain. If you hear anything please write.

kal21

 Can not the moderaters help answer the ER+ PR- Her 2 - questions?

Why also can the biopsy report with two different labs checking be different than a surgical one??

Than I read on different site biopsy better next report says surgical..

No wonder this is sooo upsetting to us.

mammalou

I don't think it is a given that the tamoxifen won't work. I think it is a possibility that there might be tamoxifen resistance.

PLJ

If you go back and read the entire thread, you'll find the information you are seeking.

HTH,

PLJ

christina1961

It is not true that tamoxifen will not help if you are PR-.  I am PR- and low estrogen positive. I will be starting tamoxifen in February.  There is a recent publication in the Lancet that is available as full text on the internet that reports the effectiveness of tamoxifen on PR-, even with low ER positivity. I will try to find it later and post a link to it when I leave work.

kal21

 I will look at the lancet site. I read the oposite though on a oncology site cancer center.

Guess there is always the opposite  answer if you look long enough.

Also is there a board who talks about.. when people assume since treatment is done you are cured!!

christina1961

Bar,

Here is the link to the summary of the results of the recent meta analysis published in the Lancet in July 2011.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60993-8/abstract

I found this very helpful as I only have 5-10% ER with intermediate staining. If you register for free you can access the full article and get updates in your email on other published articles in the Lancet.

ruthbru

Thanks Christina!

christina1961

You are welcome!  This made me feel better - even the results for those with 4-10% look encouraging to me although they didn't interpret them as meaningful in the analysis. I look for hope wherever I can find it.

IllinoisNancy

Hi,

I'm ER+ PR-, HER- and I was on Tamoxifen for 4 years when it came back to the same breast and the same kind as the first time, ILC.  I'm on Arimidex now and hope it works better than the Tamoxifen.  I also had the Oncotypedx and it was a 9.

kal21

  Christina,

Thanks, I will read the info.I have also wrote every place I can with that ? so we shall see.

kal21

 Yes it looks like any ER+ tamoxifen is a good thing but when PR - is involved that changes..

christina1961

I went for a consult out of state at UNC Chapel Hill when I found out I was ER positive, PR negative.  I asked whether I might be tamoxifen resistant and the oncologist there told me she didn't have any reason to believe that I would be tamoxifen resistant.  My local oncologist said that HER2+ is a factor in tamoxifen resistance and because I am HER2 negative, I will be more likely to obtain benefit from tamoxifen. I am also EGRF negative (HER1). That is why I will start on tamoxifen as soon as I get through this clinical trial of chemo.  All three oncologists I have seen are in agreement on taking the tamoxifen although one of them doesn't believe my 5-10% ER receptors are enough to make much difference.  She said my cancer would behave more like a triple negative.  

mammalou

Thanks for the article.  That was very encouraging.

kal21

 Yes that was helpful and at least someone says to take it. I don't think I ever had her 1, what is that?

bak94

I am 3% er pos under 1%pr pos ond her2 neg, never had the her 1. My mo said we would retest the tumor after neoadjuvent chemo, as those results were from a biopsy. Well, good news is I had a complete pathological response! I am happy, but I can't retest. My biopsy was tested twice already. MO want to put me on tamoxifen, not sure I want to be on it for 3%. I just don't know what to do.

christina1961

Bak, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermal_growth_factor_receptor

You found this link! If you go to the past posts you will see a lot of different articles posted.  Here is a link about EGFR or HER1:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermal_growth_factor_receptor

pebee

I would be careful with wikipedia - anyone can post there.  Did the article give references?

kal21

 Bak94..Don't quite understand but if you are triple neg.. don't think tamoxifen works..

We just have to keep researching ourselves.

christina1961

pebee, Yes, there were references.

 I'm not a big Wikipedia person either, but figured it would be ok for a definition of the EGFR protein. Here is another definition from a generalized medical website:

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=32387

kal21

 My  surgeron opinion was same as MO.. Since on all test I was ER+ not to worry about the PR-So guess I will go with that for now but will keep reasearching..  

Carmelle

I was ER+ PR- and HER-. I was 38 pre-meno..ovary removal, arimidex for 5 years, now coasting.

I think it's good to know your details especially when it comes to BC being hundreds of types of disease.

Michelle

pebee

Carmelle - if you don't mind me asking....

I was 46 pre-menopause when diagnosed.  I **may** be in chemo-induced menopause now, but no one knows.

How did the decision to get your ovaries out?  I have asked and have been told that it won't make a difference (but the MO can't show me the studies)

Carmelle

i didn't stop mentruating during chemo. i had issues with hormones prior to bc diagnosis. i am also er+ pr- which not the best mix for tamoxifen. that was the combo. i asked my oncologist if he felt comfortable with removal and arimidex and he said yes.

luckypenny

Pebee

I am pre meno but in chemopause. Getting total hysterectomy next month. Am er + and slightly pr+ and her 2 neg. My onc recommended hyster vs just ooph and says lowers recurrence approx 5%. By doing this and taking ai vs tamox.



Prior to starting chemo I did lots of research and I remember coming away with strong desire to take ai based on that info. Onc agreed with me. Hope this helps. I realize that it is a very personal decision and not one to be taken lightly.

. I had huge tumor and 6 nodes positive.

kal21

  Carmelle..

 What did they say about tamoxifen and PR-? it won't work?

Catherine22

Hi,

I am focal 1% ER+ and 'very weak' 10% PR+ and HER2-. I am also wondering about the effectiveness of tamoxafin. It is very encouraging to me to read that you had such a positive response to chemo.    This is my first post. I am grateful for any help, news or suggestions anyone might have. Thanks, Catherine  

Diangosed Dec2, 2011 

Grade 3, 5.5cm 0/4 nodes. Mastectomy in January.  CAT scans in two weeks. Now awaiting chemo.

ruthbru

I'm not sure about the tamox, Catherine. But I do know that chemo works best on grade 3 tumors.....so you can plan that it will kick cancer butt for you!

beau

Hi All,



I just want to join the group and thank Christina for posting this thread as well all the comments other folks have made! I am very curious as to how much current research still leaves a big question mark about whether being PR - means we should stay on AI's longer ( because we might have a more aggressive type) or whether it is not well enough understood to say for sure.

Although I am listed as PR -, I did have a small amount of positivity (4.5%) , but that is below the protocol limit for being considered PR+.

One of the articles that was posted here used < 1% PR- as the proof point of PR-. Does anyone have an opinion on this or experience with what their PR score was ?

I am no doctor or scholar but just trying to see what other flocks think.



Also, I have been on Arimidex for over a year, but have considerable arthritis on it. I am thinking of trying Aromasin to see if my joints feel any better. Anyone else switch with success?



Best to all, Beau

ruthbru

My PR was zero. My estrogen was only 25%, so my oncologist wants me off after the 5 years as he feels the risks will outweigh the benefits at that point.

It sure would be worth a try to switch, lots of people who have trouble with one AI don't with another.