Understanding HER2+ early breast cancer (eBC) treatment
Based on your answers, your doctor may recommend different treatment options.
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Prepare for a conversation with your doctor
Below are some starter questions to begin a conversation with your doctor or care team:
- What is HER2+ eBC?
- Can we discuss my treatment goals?
- Will treatment be given before or after surgery, or both?
- What is the difference between the HER2+ early breast cancer therapies?
- What can I expect during treatment?
- How will you know if my treatment is working?
- Will I also receive chemotherapy?
- What kind of side effects might I experience?

After confirming your diagnosis, your doctor will review factors such as HER2 status, nodal status, tumor size, patient characteristics, and preferences. For HER2-positive early breast cancer (HER2+ eBC), doctors often recommend neoadjuvant treatment. In some cases, doctors may recommend starting with surgery followed by adjuvant treatment.
Before surgery, neoadjuvant treatment is given to shrink the tumor.
Below are two of the HER2-targeted neoadjuvant treatment options available
The goal of surgery is to remove as many cancer cells as possible. A doctor will then carefully examine the tissue removed to determine the next phase of treatment. If cancerous cells are detected, the oncologist will likely recommend an adjuvant treatment to remove the residual disease. If the doctor cannot find any cancer cells remaining, the patient has experienced what is known as a pCR. In such cases, adjuvant treatment may be recommended to lower the chance of the cancer returning.
Adjuvant therapy is treatment given after surgery with the goal of:
- Killing remaining cancer calls
- Lowering the chance of the cancer returning
A doctor may recommend adjuvant treatment even if the surgery resulted in a pCR to help keep a patient cancer-free for as long as possible.
Recommendations for adjuvant therapy may depend on whether you received neoadjuvant treatment and how you responded to it.
If a patient received neoadjuvant treatment before surgery, then they may continue that treatment regimen or switch to a different adjuvant therapy after surgery.
If a patient did not receive neoadjuvant treatment, then the patient may start adjuvant treatment after surgery.
Below are three of the HER2-targeted adjuvant treatment options available
Keep in mind that this site is for educational purposes only and that the options here are just some of the treatments you may be eligible for. Your primary sources of information should always be your doctor and the professionals who make up your care team. Only they can give you medical advice about your disease and treatment.
Learn about breast cancer resources and support organizations
As you prepare to discuss your condition with your doctor, here are some resources you may find helpful. Ask your doctor or your care team any questions you have about your cancer or treatment plan.*
American Cancer Society Information for people living with cancer, as well as families, friends, and survivors. |
BreastCancer.org Medical information about treatment options, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention. |
Living Beyond Breast Cancer Support and information for people who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, years beyond treatment, or living with breast cancer. |
SHARE A network of breast and other cancer survivors who want to share their experience with others. |
Susan G. Komen Information for people living with cancer, families, friends, and survivors. |
Young Survival Coalition An organization dedicated to critical issues in young women with breast cancer. |
*This is a partial list of some cancer support organizations. These cancer organizations are not controlled by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Genentech, Inc. This list is meant for information purposes only and is not intended to replace your care professional’s medical advice. Ask your doctor or your healthcare team any questions you have about your cancer or treatment plan.