Very simply put and in everyday language.
Grading breast cancer: Pathologists grade the cancer according to how the cancer cells look and behave. Grades are numbered from 1 to 3.
Pathologists will look at the size and extent of the tumour which are numbered 1 to 4. Also the number of lymph nodes affected by cancer are noted and the spreading of the cancer from the breast to other parts of the body (metastases).
Another matter of concern and noting is whether the cancer is growing into the blood or lymphatic vessels which is described as lymphatic vascular invasions (LVI).
Type of breast cancer: HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor-type 2) is a type of protein that exists on the surface of normal cells which allows human growth factor to attach to the cell.
Normally, there is around 20,000 to 50,000 of these receptors on a cell however in HER2 positive cancer cell, there will be around 2 million, which means the cells are cancerous and are more aggressive as they grow faster.
Normally, there is around 20,000 to 50,000 of these receptors on a cell however in HER2 positive cancer cell, there will be around 2 million, which means the cells are cancerous and are more aggressive as they grow faster.
Testing HER2 positive will show you have an increased level of HER2 protein. Women who are HER2 positive may respond less well to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. This is because breast cancers that overexpress HER2 are a more aggressive form of the disease.
Herceptin, a monoclonal antibody drug targets the growth factor to stop breast cancer cells from growing and can also activate the immune system to kill HER2+ cancer cells.
I have Grade 2, LVI and HER2+ type breast cancer and will need more Herceptin.
1 comment:
And thank you too for sharing. Best wishes in your fund-raising and survival efforts. I'm confident you will succeed in both endeavors!
Cheers!
Jacki Donaldson
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