Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42500763›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Synchronous HER2-Positive Breast and Gastric Cancers: A Dual Diagnostic Challenge With a Single Treatment Possibility.

Jeremi Morka, Paula Biernat, Anna Czerwinska, Klaudia Cybulska, Dagmara Cybulska, Aleksandra Rysak, Michal Sobczak, Tomasz Mróz

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jeremi MorkaFaculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, POL.
Paula BiernatMedicine, University Clinical Hospital in Opole, Opole, POL.
Anna CzerwinskaFaculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, POL.
Klaudia CybulskaFaculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, POL.
Dagmara CybulskaInternal Medicine, University Clinical Hospital in Opole, Opole, POL.
Aleksandra RysakFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, POL.
Michal SobczakFaculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, POL.
Tomasz MrózFaculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, POL.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Synchronous primary malignancies are rare and represent a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly when both tumors share a targetable molecular alteration. We present a case of synchronous human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast and gastric cancers treated using a common HER2-directed strategy. A 77-year-old female was admitted with a right breast lesion classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 5. A core needle biopsy was performed, which confirmed a grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. The results showed positivity for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, a HER2 immunohistochemical score of 2+, and a Ki-67 index of 15%. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) confirmed HER2 amplification, establishing a luminal B/HER2-positive subtype (cT4b cN0 cM0). The patient was started on a course of tamoxifen treatment. During the course of treatment, there was a progression of dysphagia and rapid weight loss, which prompted further investigation. A CT scan revealed thickening of the gastric cardia. Following the failure of gastroscopies due to esophageal stenosis, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. The histopathological examination revealed that the gastric cardia tumor was grade 1 tubular adenocarcinoma, with HER2 overexpression (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 3+), proficient mismatch repair (pMMR)/microsatellite stability (MSS) status, and no hormone receptor expression. Due to the unresectable nature of the disease, the patient received a combination of palliative mFOLFOX6 (leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) and trastuzumab, in addition to ongoing endocrine therapy. Following four cycles, imaging showed disease stabilization, with decreased cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, and evidence of local tumor regression. Despite an initial positive response, the patient subsequently experienced disease progression and clinical deterioration after three months. The overall survival rate was 11.25 months. This case demonstrates the importance of comprehensive molecular diagnostics and the potential of HER2-targeted therapy as a unified treatment approach for synchronous HER2-positive malignancies.

Indexed as

breast cancererbb2 amplificationgastric cancerher2-positive cancersmultiple primary cancerssynchronous cancerstargeted therapytrastuzumab

Identifiers

PMID42500763
PMCPMC13396989

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