What is HER2-Positive Breast Cancer?


HER2-Positive Breast Cancer  refers to breast cancer whose cells make extra copies of the HER2 gene. The HER2 gene produces a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, which helps control cancer cell growth and division. Having extra copies of this gene causes the breast cancer cells to grow and spread more aggressively than cancers without HER2 gene abnormalities. Approximately 20-30% of diagnosed breast cancers are HER2-positive.



Risk Factors and Causes

While the exact causes of it are unknown, some factors that may increase risks include:

- Family history: Women with a close family member who had breast cancer are at a higher risk.

- Genetics: Some genetic mutations like BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations increase the risk of developing HER2-positive breast cancer.

- Age: It is more commonly diagnosed in younger women, under the age of 50.

- Dense breasts: Women with denser breast tissue have a higher risk as density makes cancers harder to detect on mammograms.



Symptoms and Diagnosis

The most common symptoms of it are:

- A new lump or mass in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue

- Swelling or lump under the arm or around the collarbone

- Skin changes like dimpling, puckering or redness of the breast

- Nipple discharge that may be bloody

- Pain in the breast that does not go away

Diagnosis involves physical examination, imaging tests like mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies of breast tissue to detect cancer cells. The cancer cells are also tested for HER2 biomarkers through an immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test.



Treatment Options

When it comes to treatment, HER2-positive breast cancer is typically more aggressive and has poorer prognosis than other breast cancer types if not treated properly. Standard treatment options include:



- Surgery: Options range from lumpectomy to mastectomy depending on cancer stage and spread. Lymph nodes may also be removed.



- Chemotherapy: Stronger chemotherapy drugs are often needed to tackle HER2-positive cancers. Common chemo agents include taxanes, anthracyclines, and carboplatin.



- Targeted Therapy: Drugs that specifically target the HER2 receptors on cancer cells play a major role. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) was the first HER2-targeted therapy approved and is very effective. Other options include pertuzumab (Perjeta) and trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla).



- Radiation Therapy: Used after lumpectomy or mastectomy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk.



- Hormone Therapy: If the cancer is hormone receptor-positive in addition to HER2-positive, hormone therapies like tamoxifen help block estrogen's cancer growth effects.



- Precision Medicine: Newer targeted therapies and immunotherapy combinations are helping to improve outcomes further based on individual cancer biomarkers and genetic profiles. Clinical trials also expand treatment access.



Prognosis and Monitoring

With appropriate treatment, the 5-year survival rate for HER2-positive breast cancer has improved significantly and now approaches that of other breast cancer types at around 85-90%. However, recurrence monitoring remains important as the cancer has a risk of returning even years later. Follow-up care involves regular physical exams, imaging scans and blood work to quickly detect and treat any recurrence. Ongoing support helps manage side effects and reduce stress.



In summary, HER2-positive breast cancer poses unique challenges but advancements in targeted therapies, earlier diagnosis, and multidisciplinary care approaches have considerably boosted patients' prognoses and long-term outcomes in managing this complex disease. Further research remains crucial to developing more effective and personalized solutions.

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*Note:

1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research

2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it