Breast Cancer

Over 209,000 people in the U.S. were expected to receive a new diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in 2010, including almost 2000 men. An additional 54,000 women were expected to develop non-invasive breast cancer. Age is the most important risk factor after being female. Breast cancer is one of the most-researched cancers and numerous treatments options beyond surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are available. These include drug therapies targeting hormone levels and blocking a growth-promoting factor.

Role of our laboratory tests

Tumor biopsies and surgically-removed tumors and surrounding tissues are routinely examined under the microscope by pathologists. This morphology exam is the foundation for making the diagnosis, evaluating the severity and spread of disease, and determining which additional lab tests will be useful. It relies on various colored stains (such as “H&E”) and fluorescent labels to help identify cell and tissue types and distinguish normal from abnormal.

Breast tumors are frequently tested by IHC (immunohistochemistry). In this technique, fluorescently-labeled chemical tags are applied to thin sections of the tumor which are then analyzed by microscope. The three most important markers in the tumor this can detect and measure are the estrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2. A similar technique called FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) also measures HER2 by illuminating extra copies of HER2 DNA in the tumor. Knowing the ER and PR status allows use of hormone-control drugs such as tamoxifen to limit the existing cancer and reduce risk of new cancers. Herceptin® is one medication shown effective when tumors are positive for HER2.

NeoGenomics also offers the CellSearch® Circulating Tumor Cell Test. This is a blood test that can be done at various times throughout treatment to look for evidence of breast tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream.

Recent Research Highlights

Support and Information Resources

  • Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization
    Y-ME is a national nonprofit founded in 1978 with the mission to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. Peer counseling is available in 150 languages.
  • BreastCancer.org
    Breastcancer.org’s mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.

Clinical Trials

The information presented is for general education and does not represent medical advice. Please discuss all questions and concerns with your medical care team. Links to other websites are provided for convenience and do not represent an endorsement of those sites by NeoGenomics.