Is It Better To Be HER2-positive Or Negative?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Is HER2-positive breast cancer good or bad? HER2-positive cancer

tends to be poorer

in terms of prognosis than HER2-negative cancer because: It grows faster. It is more likely to spread to the lymph nodes fast.

What does ER PR-positive mean?

Breast cancer cells may have one, both, or none of these receptors. ER-positive: Breast cancers that have estrogen receptors are called ER-positive (or ER+) cancers. PR-positive:

Breast cancers with progesterone receptors

are called PR-positive (or PR+) cancers.

What are ER PR and her2?


ER = estrogen receptor

, Her2 = human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, PR = progesterone receptor.

Is ER-positive good or bad?

If the cancer cells lack the receptors – ER-/PR-negative– then they can’t hear the growth-signaling message. About 70 percent of breast cancer patients have positive ER/PR hormone status. While being

ER/PR-positive sounds bad

, there’s actually a benefit.

What does ER and PR-positive mean in breast cancer?

If breast cancer cells have estrogen receptors, the cancer is called ER-positive breast cancer. If

breast cancer cells have progesterone receptors

, the cancer is called PR-positive breast cancer. If the cells do not have either of these 2 receptors, the cancer is called ER/PR-negative.

What does HER2 mean?

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called

human epidermal growth factor receptor 2

(HER2). This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells.

What are the worst side effects of tamoxifen?

  • Chest pain or shortness of breath.
  • Fever.
  • Signs of stroke, including slurred speech, blurred vision or sudden numbness in the legs, arms or face.
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet.
  • Uncontrolled vomiting.

Is chemo necessary for HER2-positive?


Trastuzumab

and chemotherapy are even recommended for women with very small, HER2-positive breast cancers. Tumors as small as 0.5 cm often warrant such treatment. However, decisions must be individualized based on your own individual risk.

Is chemo necessary for HER2-negative?

Hormonal therapy is considered the standard initial treatment for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer that is also hormone receptor-positive, and is often given in combination with targeted therapy. However,

chemotherapy may

also be given. A clinical trial may also be an option for treatment at any stage.

Can HER2-negative Be Cured?

When you have HER2-negative advanced (metastatic) breast cancer, treatment usually focuses on managing your disease,

not curing the cancer

. The goal is to help you live longer and have a better quality of life. This type of cancer is most often treated with systemic therapy.

What does HER2-negative mean?

What HER2-negative means.

If breast cancer cells don’t have abnormal levels of HER2 proteins

, the breast cancer is considered HER2-negative. Even if your cancer is HER2-negative, it may still be estrogen-positive or progesterone-positive. Whether or not it’s hormone-positive also affects your treatment options.

Why is HER2 important?

HER2

acts as a networking receptor that mediates signaling to cancer cells

, causing them to proliferate. HER receptors exist as monomers but dimerize on ligand binding. HER ligands are bivalent growth factor molecules whose low-affinity site binds to HER2.

Is a high Allred score good?

IHC scoring

A cutoff to define receptor positivity for ER and PR was an Allred score ⩾3, the internationally accepted cutoff. High scores were defined as

Allred 6–8

, and low scores as Allred 3–5.

What is the most aggressive type of breast cancer?


Metastatic Breast Cancer

The most serious and dangerous breast cancers – wherever they arise or whatever their type – are metastatic cancers. Metastasis means that the cancer has spread from the place where it started into other tissues distant from the original tumor site.

How fast does Estrogen positive breast cancer grow?

Daily growth rate based on type was: 1.003 percent per day increase for triple negative tumors. 0.859 percent per day increase for HER2 positive/estrogen receptor negative tumors.

0.208 percent per day increase

for estrogen receptor-positive tumors2.

Is estrogen positive breast cancer slow growing?

Estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) positive breast cancers

tend to grow more slowly than

ER/PR negative cancers, and are more likely to respond to hormone therapy.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.