HER2 results?

Hopeful_Daughter

Hi all,

My mother was diagnosed recently and had her biopsies (one of the tumor and one of 1 of 4 affected lymph nodes) a week and a half ago. We know now that she's ER+, but we're still waiting to hear back on the HER2 results. She saw her oncologist yesterday and starts chemo in 2 weeks, but we're still wondering about that one result. Is this unusual? Should we be waiting this long? Thanks in advance

Beckers

I think they run a separate FISH test to confirm. Those results took longer with me. Waiting is hard. Good luck to you

Moderators

Hi Hopeful-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for what brings you here and for your mother is going through, but we hope you both find this to be a place of support.

It's not unusual for the results to come back at different times, as Beckers mentioned. It's not really unusual, although we know how hard the waiting can be. We hope the results are back soon, and your mother can begin her treatment as scheduled!

Please keep us posted on how you both are doing, we'll be thinking of you!

The Mods

NATSGSG

Among the reasons for doing a biopsy is to know whether the tumor is benign or malignant; and to get one's ER/PR and HER2 and other results. These results help determine the course of treatment. Biopsy results usually takes 3-5 days. You have a right to ask for a hard copy because you paid for it. Then google to understand what each of the result means. This is most important. Treat it as a learning process for you as well - I know it's scary but do be brave and strong. The more you know, the more confident you become, and the more intelligent you can help your mother make her decisions.

1) if the tumor is small i.e. < 3.0 - 3,5 cm (in relation to size of breast), then surgery can be scheduled for a larger breast size;

2) if one's breast is small, and tumor large, generally, neo-adjuvant chemo is recommended to reduce the size of that tumor (assuming malignant, not for benign tumor), then surgery, then chemo again, and maybe even radio therapy.

Knowing the full biopsy results can help one make many different decisions - from surgery to treatment to the types of chemo drugs given.

The fact that your mother is scheduled for chemo in 2 weeks tells me that the Dr has decided to send your mother for neo-adjuvant chemo therapy - is this what your mother wants? Has the Dr. discussed this with your mother and does she know what that is? No Doctor can just send your mother for neo-adjuvant chemo without her understanding. There are many factors to consider. Eg, Is your mother's breast large? Is her tumor small or vice-versa? Is it localized or spread out throughout her breast? Knowing all these can help us make the decisions we want.

For example, My right breast was a 38D and my tumor size was 2.5 cm. My SO recommended neo-adjuvant therapy which I rejected. I asked to go for lumpectomy (breast conserving) surgery, and reconstructive surgery simultaneously before chemotherapy as I did not want to be in a weakened state. That was because my tumor was one lump in one location and has not spread. I asked for and was given 4 weeks to recover from lumpectomy/reconstructive surgery before going for chemo. I was ER?PR negativeHER2+ positive, and Stage 3 cancer, which means it is the most aggressive type of cancer. If you wish to read more details to get some ideas, please feel free to read my thread below.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/147/topic/831038?page=1#idx_13

Sending good wishes to your mother. Take care now.

P.S. Understand that surgery, sentinel lymph nodes dissection and axillary lymph nodes dissection etc. (whatever will be done) requires the consent of your mother (patient consent form must be signed). No doctor can do any of these steps without it. Even if you have signed the consent form, and you discover something and want to change your mind, you too can do that. Of course, your Dr. is going to ask you why. So, before your mother sign or consent to any part of anything, please ask her to ask every possible questions she needs to know and understand. A good Dr will explain the pros and cons to her. An impatient Dr. wont' - so if the Dr. is of the latter category, find another Dr. Ask around for recommendations, from friends, colleagues, your school teachers etc

PPs. Reading up as much as you can to educate yourselves is extremely important....Because you'll then know the questions to ask at different point of the cancer journey.

Hopeful_Daughter

Thank you all so much for your responses. She's HER2 negative, we found out.

NATSGSG, thank you for taking the time to write such an informative and thoughtful response. You raised very important points I will discuss with my mother. She is getting a new surgeon, so maybe he will be more forthcoming with information. In any case, I'm going to insist on being at her appointments so I can grill the doctors. I'm not sure she's standing up for herself

NATSGSG

You are most welcome.....all the very best to you and your mother....and sending more good wishes to you both...