Question re FISH

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blessings1020
blessings1020 Member Posts: 54
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
After a year, I finally got a copy of my pathology report (I don't understand most of it, but at least I got it).

I have a question re the FISH test. I notice on the report that my HER2 was +, however, a FISH was never done because there was "not enough tissue left on the block".

Isn't this standard procedure? I am worried that they did not do this test. Does it make a difference?

Thanks so much...Diane

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  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
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    Hi Blessings, The FISH test isn't always done. It's basically up to the doctor, although more and more doctors are ordering it. The results of your Her2Nu testing should have been reported as 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+. If the result is 3+, your cancer is considered Her2Nu positive. If the result is 2+, you're borderline. A FISH test should have been performed at that point. If the result is 0 or 1+, your cancer is considered Her2Nu negative. Unfortunately, there's no way to go back and have a FISH test performed because you indicate there is no remaining tissue from the original cancer. If the + in your message represents 1+, you shouldn't worry. If you have or are receiving Herceptin, they've got you covered. Good luck.
    terri
  • blessings1020
    blessings1020 Member Posts: 54
    #3
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    tlmac said:

    Hi Blessings, The FISH test isn't always done. It's basically up to the doctor, although more and more doctors are ordering it. The results of your Her2Nu testing should have been reported as 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+. If the result is 3+, your cancer is considered Her2Nu positive. If the result is 2+, you're borderline. A FISH test should have been performed at that point. If the result is 0 or 1+, your cancer is considered Her2Nu negative. Unfortunately, there's no way to go back and have a FISH test performed because you indicate there is no remaining tissue from the original cancer. If the + in your message represents 1+, you shouldn't worry. If you have or are receiving Herceptin, they've got you covered. Good luck.
    terri

    Terri...thanks so much for your reply.

    I am not sure if I am a +1, 2, or 3 but I can tell you that I was not given Herceptin.

    Just changed oncologist last week (long story). Maybe I can get her to explain all my test results to me.

    Diane
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #4
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    blessings1020 said:

    Terri...thanks so much for your reply.

    I am not sure if I am a +1, 2, or 3 but I can tell you that I was not given Herceptin.

    Just changed oncologist last week (long story). Maybe I can get her to explain all my test results to me.

    Diane

    Diane, Herceptin is currently approved for use with advanced breast cancer expressing Her2Nu. There's a clinical trial being conducted worldwide, phase III the last time I checked, to determine the effectiveness of using Herceptin for early stage (I and II) breast cancer at higher risk because of Her2Nu. After checking your path report to see if you're even a candidate, you could ask your new onc if it's appropriate for you. Good luck!
    terri
  • blessings1020
    blessings1020 Member Posts: 54
    #5
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    tlmac said:

    Diane, Herceptin is currently approved for use with advanced breast cancer expressing Her2Nu. There's a clinical trial being conducted worldwide, phase III the last time I checked, to determine the effectiveness of using Herceptin for early stage (I and II) breast cancer at higher risk because of Her2Nu. After checking your path report to see if you're even a candidate, you could ask your new onc if it's appropriate for you. Good luck!
    terri

    Thanks, Terri...I think I'll just do that. From what I can read/understand in the path. report, I am a 2+ for HER2/neu. I have a stage III cancer and I just want to be sure everything that is humanly possible to extend my life is being done.

    I don't understand why there was no more tissue left "on the block". I had a quite large, aggressive tumor and I was under the assumption that they disected part of it and froze the rest of it for further testing, etc. Am I wrong?

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