Definition

A protein involved in normal cell growth. C-erbB-2 may be made in larger than normal amounts by some types of cancer cells, including breast, ovarian, bladder, pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal cancers. This may cause cancer cells to grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Checking the amount of c-erbB-2 on some types of cancer cells may help plan treatment. Also called HER2, HER2/neu, human EGF receptor 2, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.