Dr. Boughey on Surgery in Patients With HER2+ Breast Cancer

Judy C. Boughey, MD, chair, Division of Surgery Research, Mayo Clinic, discusses the surgical approach for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

There is not usually a difference in surgery among patients with differing subtypes of breast cancer, Boughey explains, as most surgical resections are based on the relationship between tumor size and breast size, extent of disease in the lymph nodes, and patient preference.

Among patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy higher response rates have been seen in those with triple-negative or HER2-positive disease. Therefore, patients with HER2-positive breast cancer are more likely to benefit from neoadjuvant therapy, as well as breast conservation surgery versus mastectomy.