Pathology - interesting spin by breast surgeon

Sydneybased

I just saw a note written by my BS to my GP - never sited before, which says:

"The final pathology shows a small grade 3 ductal cancer. The cancer is oestrogen receptor positive and HER2 positive....Although this tumour is quite small and lymph node negative, it is still a potentially aggressive cancer. It is also the type of cancer that is often associated with BRCA mutations."

Now that's strange...I was told by the same BS that my type of cancer wasn't commonly associated wtih BRCA mutations. Which part of what he's saying is correct? 

If anyone has any ideas, would be interested to hear.

suzieq60

Hi Sydney - I went to a geneticist and he suggested I have the testing done due to a strong history of cancer on my father's side of the family - too expensive for me, so he suggested we apply to the Royal Brisbane to get it done for free. To get a referral, you had to score points related to the pathology of your tumour. If you were HER2+ve, 4 points were subtracted. He ended up using my other tumour which was not HER2 and I was accepted for the free testing. Result - negative.

Sydneybased

Ah ha.... maybe it was worded like that so that I got a free test....it's a possibility

TheLadyGrey

I got curious and googled this.

The blurb on this site says that BRCA+ cancers are usually HER2 -.

BRCA1- and BRCA2-related cancers often test negative for overexpression of the gene known as HER2/neu. This genetic abnormality is not inherited, as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are, but can develop in women over time. When the HER2 gene is overexpressed, the cancer cells have too many HER2 receptors (human epidermal growth factor receptor). HER2 receptors receive signals that stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. HER2-positive breast cancer is considered to be a more aggressive form of the disease, but it can be treated with Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab), a medication that targets HER2. Most BRCA1- and BRCA2-related cancers cannot be treated with Herceptin because they are HER2-negative..

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/genetic/pos_results.jsp 

I tested negative for BRCA and positive for HER2.  

Interesting. 

suzieq60

Thanks Lady Grey that shows why they subtracted points if it was HER2 - I was quite convinced I wouldn't test positive as I am sure my bc was caused by a combination of thryroid issues and taking the pill and HRT.

kdking

I had the BRCA testing done last fall. I thought it was necessary due to the fact that I have 3 daughters. It was negative!! My insurance paid for the testing which was around $5000.00 My breast surgeon and my genetic counselor both wrote letters stating that it was necessary to have the testing done and they approved it w no problems. Unfortunately, I am having problems taking Herceptin and will find out in two weeks if I'm done with it for good. My EF has dropped from 60% to 37%.

LouLou40

My MO didn't recommend genetic testing for me as he said her2 pos BC rarely test positive.

I was 39 at dx, no family history on my mothers side but father adopted so no nothing about his side of the family.

I had no risk factors for BC

weety

Very interesting about the HER2+ info and genetic testing.  I was offered the tests (free through insurance) based on my age of diagnosis--38.  Genetic doc I saw said that they usually offer the test to women under 40 based almost completely on the young age.  Tests came back negative, and I am HER2+. 

This would make for an interesting survey.

whippetlover

This is interesting. I had BRCA testing done on the advice of an oncologist as my maternal grandmother and a number of aunts had been diagnosed at a young age with bc. The results were negative. I asked the genetic counsellor whether she had ever seen anyone with Her2+ bc who was BRCA+ and she said that not BRCA1 but sometimes BRCA2. I think that there are some women on the Her2 support site that are BRCA2 positive but I could be wrong.

I agree with Weety. This would be an interesting survey. 

dragonfly1

Add me to the list-BRCA 1/2 negative but Her2+

dearjilly

Diagnosed at 32, Her2 positive and BRCA2 positive.  The only breast cancer in my family was my dad's sister.