human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive

Describes cells that have a protein called HER2 on their surface. In normal cells, HER2 helps control cell growth. Cancer cells that make too much HER2 may grow more quickly and are more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Checking to see if a cancer is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive may help plan treatment, which may include drugs that kill human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive cancer cells. Cancers that may be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive include breast, bladder, pancreatic, ovarian, and stomach cancers. Also called c-erbB-2 positive and HER2 positive.