What does IHC 2+ mean?
If the IHC result is 2+, the HER2 status of the tumor is not clear and is called “equivocal.” This means that the HER2 status needs to be tested with FISH to clarify the result.
What is an HER2 test?
Test Quick Guide The HER2 test is a tumor marker test that determines the number of copies of the HER2 gene or the amount of HER2 protein in a cancer cell. It is performed on a tissue sample taken during a procedure called a biopsy.
What does HER2-positive 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 is IHC testing?
IHC, or ImmunoHistoChemistry, is a special staining process performed on fresh or frozen breast cancer tissue removed during biopsy. IHC is used to show whether or not the cancer cells have HER2 receptors and/or hormone receptors on their surface. This information plays a critical role in treatment planning.
How do I read an IHC report?
The IHC test gives a score of 0 to 3+ that measures the amount of HER2 receptor protein on the surface of cells in a breast cancer tissue sample. If the score is 0 to 1+, it’s called “HER2 negative.” If the score is 2+, it’s called “borderline.” A score of 3+ is called “HER2 positive.”
How do you read HER2 results?
The IHC gives a score of 0 to 3+ that measures the amount of HER2 proteins on the surface of cells in a breast cancer tissue sample. If the score is 0 to 1+, it’s considered HER2-negative. If the score is 2+, it’s considered borderline. A score of 3+ is considered HER2-positive.
Does HER2-positive mean chemotherapy?
Because HER2-positive cancer is considered more aggressive than HER2-negative breast cancer, it is usually treated with chemotherapy after surgery to reduce recurrence risk.
What is IHC test for lymphoma?
IHC for Lymphomas. Lymphomas are considered malignancies of lymphocytes that have stopped in differing stages of development or differentiation, and the use of IHC with various antibodies in a “panel” helps to identify the specific lineage and developmental stage of the lymphoma.
What is the purpose of IHC?
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an important application of monoclonal as well as polyclonal antibodies to determine the tissue distribution of an antigen of interest in health and disease. IHC is widely used for diagnosis of cancers; specific tumor antigens are expressed de novo or up-regulated in certain cancers.
What is the HER2 status of breast cancer?
If the IHC result is 3+, the cancer is HER2-positive. These cancers are usually treated with drugs that target HER2. If the IHC result is 2+, the HER2 status of the tumor is not clear and is called “equivocal.” This means that the HER2 status needs to be tested with FISH to clarify the result.
Why are Her2 results reported as indeterminate?
HER2 may be reported as indeterminate if technical problems preclude the reporting of a positive, negative or equivocal test result Reasons include improper specimen handling, crush artifact, edge artifacts and analytical testing failures
What does IHC 3 + mean for breast cancer?
IHC 3+ (strong positive): tumor displays complete, intense circumferential membranous staining in > 10% of tumor cells (*readily appreciated using a low power objective and observed within a homogenous and contiguous invasive cell population)
How is the IHC test used in cancer treatment?
IHC is used to show whether or not the cancer cells have HER2 receptors and/or hormone receptors on their surface. This information plays a critical role in treatment planning. IHC is the most commonly used test to see if a tumor has too much of the HER2 receptor protein on the surface of the cancer cells.