1. Besides Her-2/neu, what other laboratory tests may my doctor be ordering on my breast cancer tissue?
During an initial workup of invasive
breast cancer, your doctor will likely do a tissue test for
hormone receptor status. A patient with a positive estrogen and/or progesterone receptor status may find their response to endocrine/hormone therapy diminished if they are also Her-2/
neu-positive, limiting that treatment option.
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2. Does Herceptin work for everyone who is Her-2/neu positive?
Unfortunately, no. Only about one-third of patients who are positive for Her-2/neu will respond to Herceptin therapy. There are other cellular factors involved that are not well understood yet. Herceptin is sometimes combined with other chemotherapy agents to make it more effective.
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3. Would this testing also be performed on a man?
Yes. Men do not get
breast cancer as frequently as women, but it does occur and their cancer may also be Her-2/
neu-positive. In addition, there are some data that Her-2/
neu can help determine a in
prostate cancer in men.
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