Her-2 Positive Breast Cancer - Breast Cancer Malpractice Lawyer

What is HER-2 positive breast cancer?

This is a breast cancer that contains the protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2). It is normal for all cells to contain some of this protein, but it is abnormal for the cells to contain an excess of this protein. HER-2 stimulates the growth of new cancer cells. The cancer cells make an excess of this protein because of a genetic mutation. These cancers are usually more aggressive than those cancers without HER-2. They are also not very responsive to treatment using hormones or chemotherapy. About 20-30 percent of breast cancers are HER-2 positive.


When your cancer is diagnosed by biopsy or surgery, the cancer is tested for the presence of HER-2. The presence of HER-2 is measured on a scale from 0 to 3+. 0 is considered negative for HER-2. 3+ is strongly positive.

There are specific treatments for HER-2 breast cancer. First, there is a drug called Herceptin. Herceptin is a type of treatment called a monoclonal antibody. This drug attaches itself to the cancer cells themselves and stops the cells from multiplying. If your HER-2 test result is 3+, it is likely that Herceptin will help you. If your score is 0 to 1+, Herceptin will not benefit you. If your score is 2+, it is necessary for another test to be done to determine if Herceptin will help you. That test is called FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization).

Herceptin is given into the bloodstream through an intravenous line. Herceptin is usually given with conventional chemotherapy.

There are other treatments for HER-2 breast cancer such as standard chemotherapy with Adriamycin. Also, Tykerb is used for HER-2 cancers that don't respond to Herceptin.

Recently, a vaccine has been studied for use on HER-2 breast cancer.

A malpractice breast cancer malpractice lawyer can evaluate your case, where you believe that your breast cancer was missed or misdiagnosed. For further information about breast cancer malpractice cases in Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Erie, Greensburg, Washington, Beaver, Uniontown, call the lawyers who specialize in breast cancer cases: Berger & Lagnese.