
Discover a program designed to support patients with knowledge and information about HER2+ breast cancer.
Three ways to connect:
Receive Updates
Personalized information to support your treatment
Support Line
Call 866.449.HER2 Nurses available 24/7
Online Live Chat
Nurses available Monday-Friday, 8am EST to 8pm EST.
A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | S-U | V-Z
is defined as additional treatment given after the main treatment plan to decrease the chance of recurrence. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer can include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or biological therapy
a decreased number of red blood cells and a reduced volume of hemoglobin (the protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen)
a class of chemotherapy drugs used to inhibit or prevent the development and growth of cancer cells
a protein that is present in the blood, made by cells of the immune system to fight infection. Some antibodies are a normal part of the body's immune defense, and others are made in response to a foreign substance. Scientists can make antibodies that target specific types of cells in the body.
used to treat breast cancers that depend on estrogen for growth
tissue biopsy samples that have been preserved in wax for future study; ask your doctor about the location of your stored tissue
treatment that uses substances derived from living cells
the removal and examination of a sample of tissue for study purposes; this is the only method that can determine if the tissue contains cancer cells
the application of the principles of engineering and technology to the life sciences-for example, using biological substances to create new drugs
a disease or disorder of the heart muscle which results in in reduces heart function
the amount of blood released in the heart with each heartbeat; this may be used to measure the loss of heart muscle function
toxicity that affects the heart
the fundamental, structural and functional unit of living organisms
the control center of the cell where genetic material is located
the treatment of cancer using chemicals or drugs that are destructive to cells and tissues
a research study designed to answer specific questions about new therapies or new drugs
a type of biopsy where a needle is used to remove a small core of tissue for study
class of chemotherapy drugs that promotes cancer cell death
the building blocks of the genetic code, located in the cell nucleus
included in a class of chemotherapy drugs (anthracyclines) used to inhibit or prevent the development and growth of cancer cells
breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts of breasts. This is the most common type of breast cancer
a noninvasive, precancerous condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. Sometimes DCIS may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues, although it is not known at this time how to predict which lesions will become invasive
breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the axillary lymph nodes (under the arms), usually stages 0, I, and some stage III
a special type of protein found on some cancer cells. Estrogen attaches to the receptor, and this can cause the cancer cells to grow
a type of biopsy where a needle is used to remove a few cells to be examined under a microscope
first therapy for the condition being treated
a method of testing tissue samples to determine if there is a gene abnormality in the cells, including the overexpression of HER2
portion of DNA that directs the production of a specific protein
any change or difference in the usual makeup or function of a gene, including changes that result in too much or not enough of a protein being produced, or alterations in the property of the protein produced
the presence of a greater than normal number of copies of a gene in a cell
a gene that directs the cell to produce HER2 growth factor receptors on the cell's surface which can control the growth and division of the cell
indicates that a biopsy revealed a normal level of the HER2 gene or protein
indicates that a biopsy revealed abnormally high levels of the HER2 gene or protein
also called the HER2 receptor; a cell-surface protein that helps control normal cell growth, cell division, and cell survival
the excess production of HER2 receptors that results from a change in the HER2 gene in cancer cells; thought to cause cancer cells to grow and divide more quickly
Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2, one of the many proteins on a cell's surface that signals the cell to divide and helps control normal cell growth, cell division, and cell survival
administering hormones, such as anti-estrogen, to help block hormone uptake in tumors
a method that uses antibodies to identify, locate, and stain specific protein molecules in tissue sections (using a microscope), such as overexpression of HER2lymph nodes
introduction of a solution, such as various cancer therapies, into the body through a vein using a small catheter or a central line
an abnormally low number of white blood cells in the blood; white blood cells help to fight infection
cancer that begins in the lobules of the breast. If the abnormal cells are only in the lobules, then the condition is called lobular carcinoma in situ (see below). If the cancer spreads outside the lobules, it is invasive lobular carcinoma
a condition in which abnormal cells are found only in the lobules of the breast. LCIS seldom becomes invasive cancer, but having lobular carcinoma in situ in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast
milk-producing glands in the breast
small bean-shaped collections of immune system tissue such as lymphocytes; located along lymphatic vessels
cancerous
the normal tissues around a tumor
the method by which a drug or therapy affects the body in order to produce a specific result
breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body; also referred to as invasive or infiltrating
an antibody produced in a laboratory by making multiple copies of a single cell; designed to recognize a specific protein on certain cells and signal the body's immune system to destroy the cell
chemotherapy that can suppress the production of blood cells by your bone marrow
immune system cells that destroy foreign bodies or abnormal cells that are marked with antibodies
a decreased number of a specific kind of white blood cell, known as neutrophils, that help fight infection
indicates whether a breast cancer has spread (node-positive) or has not spread (node-negative) to lymph nodes in the armpit (axillary nodes)
lymph nodes in the armpit are removed and examined to find out if cancer has spread
a doctor who treats patients with cancer
the excess production of growth factor receptors (cell-surface receptors) that results from alteration of a gene in cancer cells
included a class of chemotherapy drugs (taxanes) that prevents cancer cell division and growth and promotes cancer cell death
a doctor who studies and examines tissue samples for signs of cancer or other abnormalities
the location, or laboratory, where pathologists work
a report that describes tissue removed from the body to help understand the nature of a disease
a potential product is one that is experimental and is not yet approved by the FDA for that specific use
a protein found inside some cancer cells. The hormone progesterone will bind to the receptors inside the cells and may cause the cells to grow.
the use of high-energy rays or substance particles to kill or shrink cancer cells
cancer that has returned after treatment
a method of describing the size and location of a cancer based upon characteristics of the tumor, the lymph nodes, and whether it has spread to other organs
a method of needle biopsy that is useful when calcifications or a mass can be seen on mammogram but cannot be located by touch
also known as an operation, this is a procedure done to remove or repair a part of the body or to see if disease is present
treatment that reaches and affects cells throughout the body (ie, chemotherapy or biologic therapy)
a type of cancer treatment that targets only certain types of cell activities
a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, resulting in the potential for increased bleeding and decreased ability for clotting
an abnormal growth of tissue that does not have normal body function
section of tissue biopsy preserved in wax for future study
Herceptin is approved for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing, node-positive or node-negative (ER/PR-negative or with one high-risk feature)† breast cancer. Herceptin can be used several different ways:
Herceptin in combination with paclitaxel is approved for the first-line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Herceptin as a single agent is approved for treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in patients who have received one or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease.
† High-risk is defined as ER/PR positive with one of the following features: tumor size >2 cm, age <35 years, or tumor grade 2 or 3.
Herceptin treatment can result in heart problems, including those without symptoms (reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (congestive heart failure). The risk and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both Herceptin and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline). Your doctor will stop or strongly consider stopping Herceptin if you have a significant drop in your heart function.
You should be monitored for decreased heart function before your first dose of Herceptin, and frequently during the time you are receiving Herceptin and after your last dose of Herceptin. If you must permanently or temporarily stop Herceptin due to heart problems, you should be monitored more frequently. In one study with Herceptin and certain types of chemotherapy, an inadequate blood supply to the heart occurred.
Some patients have had serious infusion reactions and lung problems; fatal infusion reactions have been reported. In most cases, these reactions occurred during or within 24 hours of receiving Herceptin. Your Herceptin infusion should be temporarily stopped if you have shortness of breath or very low blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor you until these symptoms go away. If you have a severe allergic reaction, swelling, lung problems, inflammation of the lung, or severe shortness of breath, your doctor may need to completely stop your Herceptin treatment.
Worsening of low white blood cell counts associated with chemotherapy has also occurred.
Herceptin can cause low amniotic fluid levels and harm to the fetus when taken by a pregnant woman.
The most common side effects associated with Herceptin were fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, rash, low white and red blood cells, and muscle pain.
Because everyone is different, it is not possible to predict what side effects any one person will have. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor.
Please see the Herceptin full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNINGS and additional important safety information.

Adjuvant Care Is defined as additional treatment given after the main treatment plan to decrease the chance of recurrence. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer can include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or biological therapy
Metastatic Breast Cancer Breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body; also referred to as invasive or infiltrating