Recently dx'd with IDC

lulazoe

I recently received a dx of IDC with DICS comedo type. My path report was incomplete at the time of my initial dx but I realized after I picked a copy up for records it had an additional page. Ibelieve it indicate the IHC test and the results are as follows:

ER 99%,Strong Positive Favorable

PR 15%,Strong Positive Favorable

HER2/neu 3+ Positive Unfavorable

My understanding is that my BC is hormone receptor Positive which is good. However I don't understand the HER2/neu 3+ Positive Unfavorable. My lump measured 1.8cm on US and had been present for at least 6mo. I am 53,have had one pregnancy,postmenopausal x 5 yrs,and used progesterone cream for 2 yrs to elevate my mood.No family hx. Please enlighten me.

Englishmummy

Hi there,

I do not have the same dx as you but I believe you are triple positive. The boards are slow on the weekends and I know how you feel when first dx - it is rough but it does get better. I'd hate for you to be hanging too long....you may wish to try posting in the Her2+ board here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topic/764183?page=940#post_4475849

Good Luck! Hugs, Laura x

lulazoe

Thank You for responding to me. I hope you are healing well and that you are already an inspiration to me. God Bless!

CAMommy

just a quick note, if your doctor hasn't told you to stop using progesterone cream, do so now. Progesterone converts to estrogen in the body if the body needs it. With 99% positive for estrogen you will want to avoid anything that.

I was on hrt before my dx. It stinks to go off.

Englishmummy

Lulazoe,

Thank you for your kind words.

I am healing very well, better than most so I am told - I hope it continues . I don't even have any side effects from the Tamoxifen.

Did you get any response from the HER2+ board? Here is another article regarding Herceptin, a targeted treatment http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/herceptin

Stay off the Google, it makes your mind boggle and is very outdated for the most part.

Feel free to stay in touch. I hope the sun is shining where you are..... You can do this!

Hugs, Laura x

maxdog

Welcome! I don't know anything about +++, but you will find many in the same boat. Hugs!

windingshores

The 99% estrogen is very good. After other treatments, you will do an aromatase inhibitor. You can read about those on the hormonal treatment thread but be aware that often those with problems with meds are the ones who post. Many of us are doing fine on them

You are highly positive for HER2. That used to be a very negative finding but since they discovered Herceptin, a targeted treatment, women with HER2+ do as well as those without, I have read.

Generally you will hear that after surgery you will do Herceptin and Taxol (TC), sometimes Carboplatin is also added (TCH). There isn't much of a decision to make: HER2+ always do Herceptin and chemo, I was told.

Some people are now doing chemo before surgery: this is called neoadjutant. I have no idea if that is relevant to you.

Was this pathology from biopsy? I was low positive for HER2 on biopsy but not after surgery. DCIS contaminated my biopsy specimens and DCIS is apparently generally HER2+, even when the IDC is not. But since you are quite positive, this scenario might be less likely for you.

Your tumor is still relatively small

Are you going to have a mastectomy?

Good luck!

p.s. I bought a couple of books on breast cancer when I was diagnosed and they helped me a lot. Mayo Clinic's book is concise and good. This kept me off the Internet initially, except for this forum, and I watched a lot of Netflix. Later, I did do a lot of research online, as do many here, but at that point I only researched what applied to me specifically so it was less overwhelming than if I had researched in the beginning.