HER2 Positive: 152 Real Stories

152 stories match HER2 positive. 135 of them mention chemotherapy.

Cancer Stories

A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

A durable response to trastuzumab in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial tumor ER-positive and PR-positive. Metastatic liver biopsy ER-negative and PR-negative with HER2 IHC 1+ and nonamplified. Later biopsy ER and PR weakly positive at 5%–10%, HER2 IHC 1+ and nonamplified, and ERBB3 p. with evidence of HER2/HER3 pathway activation.

Metastatic Site: lungs; hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes; liver; bone

She had ongoing benefit for more than 10 months on trastuzumab and capecitabine, with improved symptoms, lower tumor markers, and a confirmed partial response.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
Faith, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Faith's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Faith, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: ER-positive; HER2-positive

Faith moved into survivorship after treatment for Stage II ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer, with ongoing fear of recurrence but renewed focus on family, nutrition, exercise, and work.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Kelsey, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Kelsey's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kelsey, Female, 40s | Stage II

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Kelsey survived Stage II HER2-positive breast cancer after mastectomy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, with recovery supported by nutrition changes, massages, supplements, and support-group connection.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Betty, who was diagnosed with Stage I Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage I HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Betty's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Betty, Female, 50s | Stage I

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

As of 2021, Betty was in remission after mastectomy and chemotherapy with Herceptin, while managing side effects such as hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, and weight changes.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy and later spread to bone and brain

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial tumour: ER 0%, PR <1%, HER2 3+

Metastatic Site: bone (L3)|brain

After treatment and surveillance without new lesions, she developed a large symptomatic occipital brain metastasis 14 months after completing paclitaxel and radiation and died after rapid neurological deterioration.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Sjögren syndrome during nivolumab treatment for HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, male, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: liver, lungs, adrenal gland

One year after nivolumab was stopped, the shrinkage of lung metastases was maintained and the adrenal metastasis remained unchanged, although severe dry-mouth symptoms from treatment-related Sjögren syndrome persisted.

PubMed Central
OutcomeStable Disease
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastric CancerGastric Cancer

Graves disease during nivolumab treatment for HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, male, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: liver, brain

After progression through several treatment lines and development of brain metastasis, he died 4 months after evaluation for nivolumab-associated Graves disease, more than 1.5 years after his Stage IV gastric-cancer diagnosis.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Linked to a Rare Immune-Related Neurological Syndrome

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: HER2-positive in both foci; one focus ER-negative/PR-positive with Ki-67 45%; second focus ER-negative/PR-negative with Ki-67 35%; anti-Yo antibodies positive in serum and CSF; tumour-susceptibility gene panel negative

At 1 year, she had completed trastuzumab, continued tamoxifen, and had no evidence of recurrent breast cancer; intensive rehabilitation improved her mobility, although balance and right-sided neurological deficits persisted.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Heart Failure and Electrical Conduction Changes During Trastuzumab Treatment

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+

Biomarkers: HER2-positive; ER-positive

Trastuzumab was suspended after acute heart failure and electrical conduction abnormalities; 4 weeks later, left ventricular function recovered and the ECG returned to normal during cardio-oncology follow-up.

PubMed Central
OutcomeNot reported
A patient, who was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Fatal Bowel Infection After the First Chemotherapy Cycle for Early HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2-amplified

Nine days after the first TCH cycle, she developed fulminant febrile neutropenia and Clostridium septicum sepsis with extensive bowel ischaemia; despite emergency treatment and resuscitation, she died 4 hours after hospital arrival.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Christine, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Christine's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Christine Hodgdon, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Christine had no evidence of disease after 1 year and continued HER2-targeted treatment with regular surveillance scans.

AACR
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Kate, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Kate's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kate Watson, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: Chest lymph nodes; spine; pelvis; femur

As of October 2019, Kate had been in remission for about 3 years with regular PET scans showing no evidence of active disease, while continuing monthly HER2-targeted maintenance treatment.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer Recurrence in the Parotid Gland Eight Years Later

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Primary breast tumor: ER-positive and HER2-positive. Parotid metastasis: ER-positive, PR-negative, and HER2-positive.

Metastatic Site: left parotid gland

The isolated parotid metastasis was completely resected, one-month PET-CT showed no significant abnormality, and endocrine therapy continued with exemestane.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage III Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Nocardia Infection Mimicked Breast Cancer Lung Metastases

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s | Stage III

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-positive.

The lung nodules resolved with antibiotics and proved infectious rather than metastatic; she remained in good health at the last follow-up in January 2019.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Jane, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Jane's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jane Dennington, Female, 60s

Biomarkers: HER2-positive breast cancer

As of January 2019, Jane was cancer-free for almost 5 years after HER2-positive breast cancer treatment with chemotherapy, Herceptin, surgery and Kadcyla through the KATHERINE clinical trial.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
SI
Breast Cancer

Stage II HER2-Positive Breast Cancer With Anti-Yo Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 50s | Stage II

Biomarkers: HER2 positive

Her severe anti-Yo paraneoplastic cerebellar syndrome did not meaningfully respond to IVIG or cancer treatment. She became wheelchair-dependent and ultimately required long-term care, with only moderate improvement in ataxia after rehabilitation.

PubMed Central
OutcomeNot reported
Ashley, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage III BRCA2 Breast Cancer: Ashley's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Ashley, female, Under 40 | Stage III

Biomarkers: BRCA2 positive; HER2 positive

Ashley described herself as cancer-free after chemotherapy, double mastectomy and 30 rounds of radiation, with 10 months of Herceptin planned.

MD Anderson
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Triple receptor-positive neuroendocrine breast cancer in a 32-year-old woman

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

Biomarkers: ER positive; PR positive; HER2 positive; neuron-specific enolase positive; synaptophysin positive

She was stable on follow-up and was receiving adjuvant chest-wall radiation plus systemic chemotherapy and trastuzumab-based therapy.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Stage IV Breast Cancer With Long-Term Tumor Regression After Radiation Therapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2 positive

Metastatic Site: 8th thoracic vertebra

Follow-up showed near-complete regression of the breast tumor, resolution of the bone lesion, normal tumor markers, and a 2015 biopsy with no tumor cells. Follow-up showed no further recurrence, and she returned to work with good quality of life.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Bilateral Breast Cancers Followed by Metastatic Disease and Long Eribulin Treatment

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Left primary: ER 90%, HER2 FISH not amplified, Ki67 25%. Right primary: ER 90%

Metastatic Site: lung, pleura, liver, bone

After pelvic bone metastases appeared in 2017, she stopped eribulin, received pelvic radiation and remained on fulvestrant treatment.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing