Testing for Hormone Receptors
It is important to know whether cancerous cells have different types of hormone receptor. Having these receptors opens up new avenues of treatment.
The most common receptors to test for are estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 receptors. This testing is often done at the time of the biopsy. A positive result means that the cancerous cells contain receptors for common hormones and thus are reacting to them.
Most IBC is negative for both estrogen and progesterone receptors. This means that your doctor will not need to block any of your hormones as part of treatment.
HER2-receptors are a type of protein that is on the surface of some breast cancers. This receptor transmits growth signals. Blocking this receptor with a special medication can slow or stop the spread of the disease.
The medication currently used to block this type of receptors is called Herceptin. This stops cancerous cells from receiving growth signals. Many IBC cells are positive for this receptor, so it can be an important part of treatment.
Although it is stressful to go through this long list of tests, it is essential to making the right treatment plan. Knowing more about your disease will allow you and your medical team to understand it better and to find the right approach to fighting it.
