What is HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer?
If you’ve recently received an HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) diagnosis, you may have questions about what this means and what comes next. Understanding this diagnosis can help you feel more empowered and prepared.
What does HR+/HER2- mean?
- HR+ (hormone receptor-positive): Hormone receptors are proteins that bind specific hormones that are in your blood. An HR+ breast cancer means the cancer has these proteins and grows in response to hormones like estrogen or progesterone. Hormone-blocking therapy (also called endocrine or hormonal therapy) is often effective in slowing the growth of HR+ breast cancer.
- HER2- (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative): In normal cells, HER2 is a protein that helps control cell growth. A HER2-cancer does not have abnormally high levels of the HER2 protein. This influences the type of treatment recommended.
What is metastatic breast cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer, also called stage IV breast cancer, means the cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body, like the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. While it’s not considered curable, it’s treatable. Many people live for years with mBC while maintaining a good quality of life, focusing on symptom management, emotional support, and staying active.
Treatment options
The treatment for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer typically focuses on controlling the disease, managing symptoms, and maintaining quality of life. Your doctor may recommend:
- Endocrine therapy: These oral drugs block or lower hormone levels to slow cancer growth.
- CDK4/6 inhibitors: These oral drugs target proteins that help cancer cells divide, usually in combination with endocrine therapy.
- Targeted therapies: Drugs like PI3K inhibitors or ESR1 inhibitors may be used when the cancer has specific genetic mutations. Genomic testing of the tumor DNA, which involves analyzing a sample of the tumor tissue, helps oncologists find cancer mutations that may be promising targets for these drugs.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs can kill cancer cells along with other normal fast growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy is typically used if hormone therapy combined with CDK4/6 inhibitors is no longer effective.
- Radiation or surgery: These procedures can be used to relieve cancer symptoms, like pain, or to treat targeted areas of cancer.
Your care team will personalize your treatment plan based on factors like the cancer’s characteristics, your symptoms, and your overall health.
Support and next steps
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but you’re not alone. Support groups, counseling, and patient advocacy organizations can offer emotional and practical support. Staying informed and working closely with your care team will help you navigate your diagnosis and manage your symptoms.
Next steps: Consider writing down any questions and discussing them with your doctor. You may want to ask about treatment options, side effects, and ways to maintain your quality of life.
