Introduction:

HER2 overexpression in breast carcinoma is associated with the adverse clinical course and shorter survival, so it is necessary to determine the histopathological characteristics present in infiltrating breast carcinoma in patients with it, in order to establish correct and individualized therapy.

Objectives:

To determine the histopathological characteristics that are most frequently present in breast carcinoma with overexpression of HER2 gene in the studied patients.

Methods:

Observational, cross-sectional study from January 2010 to December 2012. Nine three patients were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, and pathological variables were explored. Absolute and relative frequencies were used in the statistical analysis.

Results:

The mean age was 55.1 years; 68.8% were white skinned. The most affected breast was the right one in 45.2% and the most frequent location was the upper-external quadrant in 26.9%. Invasive ductal carcinoma represented 71% of the total. Nuclear grade 3 was found in 81.7% cases and tumor necrosis 88.2%. Estrogen receptors were positive in 50.5% and progesterone receptors were negative in 59.1%. Histological analysis of breast cancer will be useful to individualize the therapy of each patient.

Conclusions:

It is important to continue the investigation with the incorporation of other variables of interest, such as response to treatment and survival, in addition to the in situ hybridization test detected by fluorescence in the patients of the universe in which HER2 2+ was found to define the status and better guide the treatment.

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