HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
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HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer Overview

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Learn About HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer

View Main Condition: Breast Cancer

What is the definition of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
HER2-positive breast cancer is a subtype of breast cancer that contains human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which is a protein that increases the growth of cancer cells. One out of five breast cancers contain the HER2 protein. Eighteen-to-twenty percent of invasive breast cancers are HER2-positive, which are more aggressive than other breast cancers, more likely to spread and relapse, and have resulted in a decreased survival rate in the past. While previously considered to be the most aggressive type of breast cancer, HER-2 positive breast cancer can now be treated with new biologic targeted therapies that have significantly improved outcomes. HER2-positive breast cancer is categorized in stages that take into account the diameter of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread to axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver, lung, brain and bone. Staging allows for treatment plans that target each patient’s individual breast cancer disease. Early breast cancers are staged based on the following criteria: Stage 0 – Ductal cancer in situ (DCIS), or a noninvasive breast cancer that is limited to the ducts. Stage I (A/B) – Cancer has spread from ducts to the surrounding fatty breast tissue. Tumor is smaller than 2 centimeters and has not spread to lymph nodes. Stage II (IIA/B) – Cancer has spread from ducts to the surrounding fatty breast tissue and may have spread to near lymph nodes. Tumor is between 2-to-5 centimeters wide. Advanced breast cancers are staged based on the following criteria: Stage III (IIIA/B) – The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters, cancer may or may not have spread to lymph nodes, or the tumor is smaller, and cancer has spread to lymph nodes. Stage IV – Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancer has spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body, with other organs affected, such as liver, lungs, brain, or bones.
What are the alternative names for HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
HER2-positive breast cancer may also be referred to as HER2+breast cancer, HER breast cancer, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer.
What are the causes of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
The causes of HER2-positive breast cancer are currently unknown, as researchers do not know what makes this breast cancer contain the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein.
What are the symptoms of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
Symptoms for HER2-positive breast cancer are the same as other breast cancers, with the exception that this breast cancer grows and spreads more rapidly. The most common initial symptom is the discovery of a painless, hard mass with uneven edges, although some breast cancer lumps can also be tender, or even painful, soft, and round. Additional symptoms of breast cancer may include breast swelling, breast or nipple pain, nipple discharge, nipple or breast skin that is reddened, dry, flaking, or thickened, nipple discharge, nipple retraction, orange peel skin (dimpling), and swollen lymph nodes (usually under the arm or around the collarbone).
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What are the current treatments for HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
While previously considered to be the more aggressive type of breast cancer, today HER2-positive breast cancer can be treated with biologic targeted therapies, also known as monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla), that target the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, that are highly effective, allow for a good prognosis, and have increased survival for this cancer by more than 30%. However, some women with HER2-positive breast cancer do not respond to the targeted treatments and/or develop resistance to these medications, which has led to the development of new or modified drug combinations. Other medications include pertuzumab (Perjeta), docetaxel (Taxotere), lapatinib ditosylate (Tykerb), neratinib maleate (Nerylynx), and, most recently, fam-trastuzumab (Enhertu). HER2-positive breast cancer can also be treated with standard chemotherapy. Treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer usually includes a combination of biologic targeted therapies and chemotherapy. Trastuzumab, a biologic targeted therapy, is a monoclonal antibody that works against the HER 2 protein, preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells. Pertuzumab, a biologic targeted therapy, is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the HER2 protein from growing and spreading cancer cells. Pertuzumab can be used in combination with trastuzumab and the chemotherapy drug, docetaxel (Taxotere), in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and as an adjuvant (added after initial treatment) therapy for early breast cancer that has a high risk of recurrence. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is a monoclonal antibody that is combined with the chemotherapy drug, emtansine. Lapatinib is a kinase inhibitor that is combined with chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Neratinib is a kinase inhibitor that works by stopping cancer cells ability to grow. Fam-trastuzumab was recently approved (2019) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a new targeted therapy for unresectable or metastatic HER2-postive breast cancer that continues to metastasize (spread) after treatment with two or more targeted treatments.
Who are the top HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer Local Doctors?
Eric P. Winer
Elite in HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Dr. Eric P. Winer
Oncology | Hematology Oncology
Elite in HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Dr. Eric P. Winer
Oncology | Hematology Oncology

Yale University

35 Park St, 
New Haven, CT 
203-785-4191
Languages Spoken:
English
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Eric Winer is an Oncologist and a Hematologist Oncology provider in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Winer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer, and Breast Cancer in Men.

Elite in HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Dr. Brian J. Czerniecki
General Surgery
Elite in HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Dr. Brian J. Czerniecki
General Surgery

H Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr And Res Inst Life Time Cancer Scrn Ctr Inc

12902 Usf Magnolia Dr, 
Tampa, FL 
888-860-2778
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Brian Czerniecki is a General Surgeon in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Czerniecki is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Mastectomy, and Lymphadenectomy. Dr. Czerniecki is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Sara M. Tolaney
Elite in HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Dr. Sara M. Tolaney
Oncology
Elite in HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Dr. Sara M. Tolaney
Oncology

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Breast Oncology Program

450 Brookline Avenue, Susan F. Smith Center For Women's Cancers, 
Boston, MA 
617-632-2335
Languages Spoken:
English
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Dr. Tolaney is Chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  She is a breast medical oncologist whose research focuses on the development of novel therapies in the treatment of breast cancer.  She has been instrumental in developing several treatment approaches for breast cancer, including approaches focused on tailoring therapy for early stage HER2+ disease, use of cdk 4/6 inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates, and immunotherapy.She is a member of the National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Steering Committee and is Vice Chair for Late-Stage Development in Breast Cancer in the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Her research has been funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Susan G. Komen. She currently chairs multiple phase 3 trials in breast cancer and serves on several steering committees for practice-changing trials.  Her work has been published in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and others. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1998 and her medical degree from UC San Francisco in 2002. She subsequently completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, and fellowships in hematology and medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She obtained a Masters in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2007. In 2008, she joined the staff of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Tolaney is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

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What are the support groups for HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
There are a variety of support groups for individuals with HER2-positive breast cancer: Breast Cancer.org - https://www.breastcancer.org Cancer Care - https://www.cancercare.org/ Living Beyond Breast Cancer - https://www.lbbc.org/learn/types-breast-cancer/her2-positive-breast-cancer
What is the outlook (prognosis) for HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
While HER2-positive breast cancers may grow and spread more quickly, as well as to reoccur after treatment, new biologic targeted therapies have led to a significant improvement, are highly effective, allow for a good prognosis, and have increased survival for this breast cancer by more than 30%.
What are the possible complications of HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
Complications of HER2-positive breast cancer are related to the cancer itself and/or the side effects of treatment. Advanced breast cancer-related complications include pain and cancer spread (metastasis) to organs such as the liver, lung, brain, and bones. Breast cancer treatment-related complications can include breast swelling and tenderness, scar tissue, wound infection, or bleeding, and swelling of the arm (lymphedema) due to removal of the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy treatment-related complications can include hair loss, fatigue, menopausal symptoms, skin and nail changes, nausea and vomiting, nerve pain, and can possibly affect heart health.
When should I contact a medical professional for HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
Any changes in the breast, breast skin, or nipple, the appearance of a mass or lump in the breast, pain in the breast, swollen axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, or swollen lymph nodes above or below the collarbone (clavicle) should be evaluated by a medical professional.
How do I prevent HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer?
Regular screening for breast cancer (mammograms) is recommended. Performing regular breast self-exams and noticing any changes, while being aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, is important for early detection of breast cancer. Patients with invasive breast cancer should be tested for the HER2 protein because its presence will guide treatment decisions. Any recurrent breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer should also be retested for the HER2 protein as well as for hormone receptor status. Early detection of breast cancer can provide a better chance for successful treatment.
What are the latest HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer Clinical Trials?
A Phase IIa Study of Dendritic Cell Vaccines Against Her2/Her3 and Pembrolizumab in Patients With Asymptomatic Brain Metastasis From Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) or HER2+ Breast Cancer (HER2+BC) or Hormone Receptor Positive (HR+) Breast Cancer.
A Phase IIa Study of Dendritic Cell Vaccines Against Her2/Her3 and Pembrolizumab in Patients With Asymptomatic Brain Metastasis From Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) or HER2+ Breast Cancer (HER2+BC) or Hormone Receptor Positive (HR+) Breast Cancer.
Who is this study for: Patients with asymptomatic brain metastasis from triple negative breast cancer or HER2+ breast cancer
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Biological
Study Drugs: Anti-HER2/HER3 Dendritic Cell Vaccine, Pembrolizumab
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: This phase IIa trial studies how well dendritic cell vaccines against Her2/Her3 and pembrolizumab work for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer or HER2+ breast cancer or HER+ Breast cancer that has spread to the brain (brain metastasis). Dendritic cell vaccines work by boosting the immune system (a system in the body that protect against infection) to recognize and destroy the cancer cel...

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Prospective Observational Monocentric Study to Evaluate the Impact of the HER2DX Assay on Treatment Decisions in Patients With Early Stage HER2+ Breast Cancer: the HER2-BREAST-DX
Prospective Observational Monocentric Study to Evaluate the Impact of the HER2DX Assay on Treatment Decisions in Patients With Early Stage HER2+ Breast Cancer: the HER2-BREAST-DX
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 11, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug

Summary: To prospectively evaluate the impact of HER2DX on the decision-making processes of the treating physicians and especially among the routine multidisciplinary tumour board, in defining type and setting of systemic therapy administration in patients with stage I-III HER2+ BC, and the degree of clinician's confidence in the treatment recommendation.

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