HER2 receptor lowers chances of cure
The HER2 receptor is a protein located on the surface of cells. This receptor influences the division of cells. The more HER2 receptors the cell carries, the more pronounced its division behaviour is.
In some types of breast cancer, an extremely large number of the receptors are located on the surface of the degenerated cells, i.e. the breast cancer grows very quickly and aggressively due to its high division rate. This is accompanied by a worse prognosis for the patient. However, there are now drugs that block the HER2 receptors so that they can no longer transmit growth signals to the malignant cells (so-called antibody therapy). This can increase the survival rate of affected patients. Compared to breast cancers without HER2 receptor overexpression, however, the prognosis is still worse.
What are the chances of healing with triple negative?
Triple negative tumours are characterised by the fact that they have no hormone receptors (oestrogen and progesterone) and do not form the so-called HER2/neu receptor. These receptors are important targets for drugs used in the modern treatment of breast cancer. According to new studies, however, this does not necessarily mean that a generally poor response to therapy is always associated with breast cancer.
Such triple-negative tumours sometimes respond very well to other chemotherapeutic agents and can thus be treated with a curative intent. However, triple-negative tumours are also known to have very aggressive growth and poor response to therapeutic agents. The chances of a cure for a triple negative tumour cannot therefore be given in general terms.
High uPA and PAI1 proteins reduce chances of cure
uPA and PAI1 are special proteins that can be produced by breast cancer cells. Low levels of these proteins correlate with a more favourable course of the disease, while high levels are associated with a more aggressive breast cancer and therefore a worse prognosis. Women with high uPA and PAI1 levels are therefore more likely to benefit from chemotherapy that is administered immediately after breast cancer surgery.
There are several genes that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer in younger women, are particularly well known. In principle, the prognosis is worse in cases of genetic predisposition. Especially if breast cancer occurs early, the probability that it will develop again after a few years is significantly increased. Treatment is also more difficult in many cases, as breast cancer of genetic predisposition is usually a particularly aggressive form.
Does a mastectomy increase my chances of recovery?
A mastectomy, also known as mastectomy, is always performed when breast-conserving surgery is not possible for various reasons or when the patient wishes to have the amputation. Very extensive tumours, so-called inflammatory breast carcinomas or several tumours in the breast (multicentricity) make a breast-conserving operation impossible. In such cases, a mastectomy increases the chances of recovery.
The probability of a recurrence, for example due to tumour residues remaining in the tissue, is thus minimised. However, a mastectomy is not always necessary and is definitely beneficial. In the case of tumours that do not require a mastectomy, the chances of recovery are not increased compared to a breast-conserving operation.
