HER2 positive & negative?

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teelee
teelee Member Posts: 37
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I had surgery done in Feb./09 (lumpectomy) and my pathology report said I was HER2 postive(+3). They then did the FISH test (CISH test in canada). It came back that I was HER2 negative. Now I am very confused! This diagnosis obviously makes a huge difference in treatment. My oncologist suggests I have the oncotype Dx done. Since I live in Canada this test is not covered so I will have to pay for it out of my own pocket (which I am willing to do) if this will help with my diagnosis. Has anybody else had conflicting reports? Is one better than the other??

It has been a long time since I had my sugery and would just like to get at treatment. I am starting to feel anxious about not having any adjuvant therapy as of yet and the wait keeps getting longer.

Any thoughts?

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited April 2009

    Hi teelee - I'm so sorry you're going through this and for the conflicting reports. I would recommend getting a THIRD pathology reading and a totally independent lab - then go with the two out of the three that agree with each other. Usually the FISH test is the definitive test - it's supposed to be more accurate - but my oncologist was so shocked when my tumor tested Her2+ that he sent it out to another lab for a second FISH to confirm the results. The second lab showed the tumor sample to have even  HIGHER levels of Her2+. So even the FISH test can be different. Oncotype DX does now test for Her2+ cancers, so yes, that is an option, but before spending all that money, insist that your oncologist send the tumor sample out for a second FISH test. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

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  • jeanbean
    jeanbean Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2009

    Yes, I agree that a 2nd FISH test is a good idea. The FISH is a much more accurate test. The Her2 neu test is very subjective--they stain the tissue and then somebody rates it 0-4+ depending on how much tissue takes up the stain. With the FISH test they amplify the gene and then quantify it. Hopefully the 2nd FISH will be negative!!

     I'm still waiting for my 1st FISH after an "equivocal" Her2 on my mastectomy tissue and a negative Her2 on my biopsy...

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  • flower14
    flower14 Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2009

    Do as many tests as you need to feel confident with the results.  My breast tumor was HER2-, but my liver tumor turned out to be HER2+.  This happens about 15% of the time.  Thank God I had tests performed on both tumors or I would not be getting Herceptin right now.

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  • cathy50
    cathy50 Member Posts: 46
    edited June 2009

    I'm both HER+ plus HER-  the doctor now is putting me on tamoxifen to see what happens ? No chemo for a little while.

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  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited June 2009

    Cathy50 - are they giving you Herceptin?

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  • BlessedOne2
    BlessedOne2 Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2009

    teelee,

    My biopsy tested HER2+ and because it was done at a different center than where my oncologists are, she will have the FISH test done on the surgery specimen.  I'm also ER+/PR+.  I haven't gotten the results yet, but just got a call to go in tomorrow for a pre-port assessment.  Let's stay in touch.    

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