However, qRT-PCR has emerged as a potential alternative technique for assessing HER-2 status.
It is nevertheless considered the gold standard for assessing HER-2/neu status.
To assess HER-2/neu status, a pathologist will determine the percentage of tumor cells that stain with a 3+ intensity.
It is interesting to note, however, that HER-2/neu positivity can depend on the antibody used to assess HER-2/neu status.
Bedside ultrasonography revealed a tumor mass in her proximal inferior vena cava at the junction of the right atrium obstructing the ability to assess her volume status with inferior vena cava inspiratory collapse.
The woman was asked to assess her health status before, during, and after pregnancy at all data collection periods (Q1, Q2, and Q3).
34, 35 This scale requires the patient to assess her or his health status at the end of treatment and compare it with that at a previous time point, and then calculate the difference between the two assessments, eg, "a great deal worse" (−7) to "a great deal better" (+7).
Recently, a new PCR based test, called Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), was introduced as a simple and quick method to assess HER-2/ neu gene amplification status in invasive breast cancer.
Kakar and colleagues concluded that IHC is appropriate for the initial Her-2/ neu assessment, but patients whose tumors scored less than 3+ (particularly those interpreted as 2+) would benefit from FISH to assess Her-2/ neu status more accurately and to avoid inaccurate prognostication and inappropriate treatment [ 20].
The results of our present study demonstrate that there can be discordance between the most commonly used assay method (IHC) and other methods of assessing the HER-2 status.
Morgan MY, Madden AM, Soulsby CT, Morris RW. Derivation and validation of a new global method for assessing nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis.
