questions on ER -

Options
tibet
tibet Member Posts: 545
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

My tumor was ER- but I am wondering if it is possible that the tumor can be ER+ if retest it? Can the lab retest already tested tumor again? Any one had that experience?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited December 2008

    I stand to be corected but the tumor can be sent for a FISH test which is the golden standard for pathology on tumors.  The FISH could give you your answer.  This is not usually done during a routine pathology report.

    You could contact your surgeon and see if this is possible.  Good luck

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited December 2008

    Is the FISH test for only the HER status?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2008

    FSH test is usually used if there is a question about the Her2 status and not the hormone status, as far as I know. 

    You can have your tumor tested whenever you want..retested that is. I've read that some women have done this and found the status to change to positive.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PineHouse
    PineHouse Member Posts: 416
    edited December 2008

    I don't know if FISH test is used to test ER status, but I know that FISH is NOT ONLY used for her2.

    I had my EGFR status tested both by IHC (immunohistochemistry) and FISH.  For EGFR expression, the IHC test measures the amount of EGFR protein on the tumor.  The FISH test measures gene overexpression/abnormality on the tumor.

    I agree with ravdeb, I think you usually get IHC test on standard pathology for ER, PR, and her2.  But since her2 status is now considered very crucial, if the IHC result is borderline, many doctors will order FISH test for a more definite answer.  I think the story with her2 is similar to egfr: the IHC measures protein overexpression and FISH measures gene overexpression.

    I don't know why they don't just do FISH for everything.  I have a feeling FISH is more expensive or more involved.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VickiG
    VickiG Member Posts: 536
    edited December 2008

    Pinehouse, do you overexpress EGFR?  If so, has your onc talked to you about Tarceva?  Haven't found anyone on it for BC yet so I'm anxious to hear if it's something that will work for TNs... wouldn't it be great if Tarceva is to TNs what Herceptin is to HER2+ers.  I still don't know if I do or not ~ wish it weren't so difficult to find someplace to test for it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PineHouse
    PineHouse Member Posts: 416
    edited December 2008

    Vicki,

    I have my EGFR tested positive by IHC and negative by FISH.  What do I do???  My oncologist has been mentioning Tarceva ever since I started seeing him - almost 12 months ago.  I was the one with reservations.

    Are you in the process of testing it or are you still looking for a lab?  I used Caris MPI for my molecular profiling (they test more than just EGFR) - currently they're free to the patient (they do bill your insurance and write off the amount they can't collect) but I don't think it'll be free for long.  You do need an UNSTAINED tumor block or slides no longer than 4 years old.  Here's the info to that Caris lab: http://www.carismpi.com/products/target.cfm

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories