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Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

This is for anyone who faced ER+, PR+, HER2, 2+equivocal.

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Saint Louis, MO

Lumpectomy removed complete tumor with large negative margins on all 6 sides. 5 nodes removed, all Nodes negative. Oncotype score 20. My HER2 has been tested by IHC, FISH and oncotype. At 3rd lab now for FISH again. 2 on team say to proceed as HER2 negative. Oncologist says 2+equivocal should be considered HER2 low. Negative means 5 doses of radiation and no chemo. HER2 low or positive calls for chemo. Anyone else? What was the eventual answer. I've been waiting an additional 6 weeks… read more

May 7
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A MyBCTeam Member

My diagnosis was HER2+ only. I had 6 rounds of chemo (3 week schedule) which also included the targeted drug Herceptin. Once that was done, I continued on with just the Herceptin (much easier than the chemo cocktail). The chemo drugs travel through your veins to zap any cancer cells that may be circulating and looking for a new place to start trouble. The targeted drug, works differently, in that its job is to block the signals to make more of the wonky cells.

Keep us posted on what you find out! Hugs!

May 7
MyBCTeam

What a frustrating and anxious wait — six weeks is a long time to be in limbo over such an important decision. This is a really common dilemma for people with a HER2 2+ equivocal result, and you're clearly asking all the right questions.

Here's a quick breakdown of the testing involved:

- IHC (immunohistochemistry) scores Show Full Answer

What a frustrating and anxious wait — six weeks is a long time to be in limbo over such an important decision. This is a really common dilemma for people with a HER2 2+ equivocal result, and you're clearly asking all the right questions.

Here's a quick breakdown of the testing involved:

- IHC (immunohistochemistry) scores cells 0–3+. A score of 2+ is considered borderline
- FISH testing is more precise and looks for extra copies of the HER2 gene to clarify that borderline result
- HER2-low is a newer classification (IHC 1+ or 2+ with a negative FISH) that sits between HER2-negative and HER2-positive The distinction between HER2-negative and HER2-low genuinely matters for treatment decisions, which is exactly why your team is being thorough. A third FISH test at a new lab is not unusual when results are this borderline.

Your situation — clear margins, negative nodes, and an Oncotype score of 20 — sounds encouraging overall. Many MyBCTeam members have navigated this exact gray zone and found that getting a definitive FISH result from a specialized lab was the key turning point.

The most important thing right now is to keep pushing your oncology team for clarity, and don't hesitate to ask about a tumor board review if you haven't already. You deserve a clear answer before committing to a treatment path.

May 7
A MyBCTeam Member

So glad you are 6 years post treatment. Virginia did you have targeted plus chemo? It seems if chemo isn't effective for HR+, and targeted work for HER2+, that just targeted would be appropriate.

May 7
A MyBCTeam Member

Keeping you in prayers that you can skip the HER2+ protocols, if not, reach out anytime- my diagnosis was HER2+, and the targeted drugs are very effective. I am now 6 years out of treatment for a Stage 2, Grade 3 (aggressive) finding. Good luck! Hugs!

May 7
A MyBCTeam Member

What is a tumor board review?

May 7

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