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PubMed This is a summary of 16 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Medical Oncology · HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Building Your Specialized Care Team

At a Glance

HER2-positive breast cancer care often involves a medical oncologist, breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, pathologist, cardio-oncologist, and nurse navigator. A coordinated team and multidisciplinary tumor board can help organize treatment, monitoring, records, and practical support.

The complexity of HER2-positive breast cancer requires more than just one doctor; it requires a coordinated team of specialists. When experts work together, it improves coordination and helps ensure your treatment aligns with the latest medical guidelines [1] [2].

Your Core Specialized Team

Your care team is built around several key specialists who each oversee a different piece of your treatment:

  • Medical Oncologist: The doctor who manages your systemic treatments, including chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapies, and endocrine therapy [3].
  • Breast Surgeon (Surgical Oncologist): Specializes in removing the tumor and checking lymph nodes [4].
  • Radiation Oncologist: Uses targeted radiation to destroy any microscopic cancer cells remaining in the breast or chest wall.
  • Pathologist: The doctor who examines your biopsy and surgical samples under a microscope to confirm your HER2 and hormone receptor status [5].
  • Cardio-Oncologist: A cardiologist with specialized training in protecting the heart from the side effects of cancer treatments [6] [7].
  • Nurse Navigator: Your primary guide through the healthcare system, helping to coordinate appointments and provide education and emotional support [8].

The Multidisciplinary Tumor Board

In many cancer centers, your case may be presented to a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. This is a regular meeting where surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists discuss individual patients [1].

  • Coordinated Decisions: Studies have found that these boards can improve coordination and sometimes alter the initial treatment plan as experts from different fields challenge and refine the approach [9].
  • Comprehensive Care: While a tumor board does not replace your relationship with your oncologist, observational data suggests that care managed through a multidisciplinary framework aligns closely with best practices [10] [11].

Preparing for Your First Appointment

Your first specialist visits are crucial. To ensure your team has everything they need, prepare the following items:

  1. Imaging Files: Many centers now transfer imaging electronically, but confirm this has happened. If not, bring the actual image files on a CD or USB drive [12].
  2. Pathology Report & Slides: Bring a printed copy of your full pathology report. If seeking a second opinion, ask the original pathology department to send your tissue slides or blocks directly to the consulting center [13].
  3. Records and Lists: A summary of any prior surgeries, a list of current medications (including doses), and a detailed family history of cancer [14].
  4. A “Second Pair of Ears”: Bring a trusted person to help you take notes (ask for permission before recording audio), as the volume of information can be overwhelming.

Choosing where to receive your care is a significant decision. Centers that treat a high volume of breast cancer cases often have more experience with the nuances of HER2-targeted therapy, better access to clinical trials, and dedicated support for practical issues like genetic counseling, fertility preservation, and financial toxicity [15] [16].

Common questions in this guide

Which doctors may be involved in HER2-positive breast cancer care?
Your team may include a medical oncologist, breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, pathologist, cardio-oncologist, and nurse navigator. Each person focuses on a different part of treatment, testing, heart monitoring, or care coordination.
What happens at a multidisciplinary tumor board?
Specialists such as surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists review a patient’s case together. Their discussion can improve coordination and may lead to changes or refinements in the treatment plan, but it does not replace conversations with your oncologist.
What should I bring to my first breast cancer specialist appointments?
Bring imaging files, a printed pathology report, and, if you are seeking another opinion, ask for tissue slides or blocks to be sent to the consulting center. Also bring medication doses, prior surgery records, and your family history of cancer. A trusted person can help take notes; ask permission before recording.
Why might I need a cardio-oncologist during HER2-targeted treatment?
A cardio-oncologist specializes in protecting and monitoring the heart when cancer treatment may affect it. Ask your oncology team whether this specialist should be involved and what heart monitoring fits your treatment plan.
How can I choose a center for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment?
Consider whether the center treats many people with breast cancer and has experience with HER2-targeted therapy. You may also ask about clinical trials, genetic counseling, fertility preservation, financial support, tumor board review, and nurse navigation.
What does a nurse navigator do for breast cancer patients?
A nurse navigator helps coordinate appointments, explains information, and connects you with practical and emotional support. Ask who your main contact is for questions between visits and how to reach them.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.How many patients with HER2-positive breast cancer do you personally treat each year?
  2. 2.Will my case be discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board to coordinate my care?
  3. 3.Do you have a dedicated cardio-oncologist on staff to monitor my heart while I am on HER2-targeted therapy?
  4. 4.Who is my main point of contact if I have a question between appointments—is there a nurse navigator or a specific portal?
  5. 5.Are there any clinical trials open at this center that are specifically for HER2-positive patients in my situation?
  6. 6.Can you connect me with resources for fertility preservation before we begin systemic treatment?

Questions For You

Tap a prompt to share your answer — we'll use it plus this page's context to start a tailored conversation.

References

References (16)
  1. 1

    The Impact of Tumor Boards on Breast Cancer Care: Evidence from a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

    Di Pilla A, Cozzolino MR, Mannocci A, et al.

    International journal of environmental research and public health 2022; (19(22)) doi:10.3390/ijerph192214990.

    PMID: 36429708
  2. 2

    Breast Cancer Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings in a Resource-Constrained System: Are Patients Receiving the Treatment Recommended?

    Naidoo N, Martin L, Conradie W, et al.

    World journal of surgery 2026; (50(6)):1481-1486 doi:10.1002/wjs.70405.

    PMID: 42095726
  3. 3

    Breast cancer.

    Harbeck N, Penault-Llorca F, Cortes J, et al.

    Nature reviews. Disease primers 2019; (5(1)):66 doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0111-2.

    PMID: 31548545
  4. 4

    Customizing local and systemic therapies for women with early breast cancer: the St. Gallen International Consensus Guidelines for treatment of early breast cancer 2021.

    Burstein HJ, Curigliano G, Thürlimann B, et al.

    Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology 2021; (32(10)):1216-1235 doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2021.06.023.

    PMID: 34242744
  5. 5

    Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology breast cancer expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer brain metastasis (2025).

    Wang T, Chen J, Yang J, et al.

    Translational breast cancer research : a journal focusing on translational research in breast cancer 2026; (7()):20 doi:10.21037/tbcr-25-51.

    PMID: 42170569
  6. 6

    Trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity: a review of clinical risk factors, pharmacologic prevention, and cardiotoxicity of other HER2-directed therapies.

    Dempsey N, Rosenthal A, Dabas N, et al.

    Breast cancer research and treatment 2021; (188(1)):21-36 doi:10.1007/s10549-021-06280-x.

    PMID: 34115243
  7. 7

    Incidence, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cardiac Toxicity from Trastuzumab in Patients with Breast Cancer.

    Nowsheen S, Viscuse PV, O'Sullivan CC, et al.

    Current breast cancer reports 2017; (9(3)):173-182 doi:10.1007/s12609-017-0249-4.

    PMID: 29225726
  8. 8

    Multidisciplinary Management of Breast Cancer and Role of the Patient Navigator.

    Fenton A, Downes N, Mendiola A, et al.

    Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America 2022; (49(1)):167-179 doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2021.11.011.

    PMID: 35168768
  9. 9

    The impact of multidisciplinary team meetings on patient assessment, management and outcomes in oncology settings: A systematic review of the literature.

    Pillay B, Wootten AC, Crowe H, et al.

    Cancer treatment reviews 2016; (42()):56-72.

    PMID: 26643552
  10. 10

    Effect of multidisciplinary team care on the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients: A national matched cohort study.

    Tsai CH, Hsieh HF, Lai TW, et al.

    Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) 2020; (53()):68-76 doi:10.1016/j.breast.2020.07.001.

    PMID: 32652461
  11. 11

    Survival Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board for Breast Cancer in Mozambique, Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Brandão M, Guisseve A, Bata G, et al.

    The oncologist 2021; (26(6)):e996-e1008 doi:10.1002/onco.13643.

    PMID: 33325595
  12. 12

    Role of Radiology in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer in Women: A Comprehensive Review.

    Arslan M, Asim M, Sattar H, et al.

    Cureus 2024; (16(9)):e70097 doi:10.7759/cureus.70097.

    PMID: 39449897
  13. 13

    Validity of self-reported breast cancer characteristics in a nationwide cohort of women with a family history of breast cancer.

    D'Aloisio AA, Nichols HB, Hodgson ME, et al.

    BMC cancer 2017; (17(1)):692 doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3686-6.

    PMID: 29058598
  14. 14

    Germline TP53 Testing in Breast Cancers: Why, When and How?

    Evans DG, Woodward ER, Bajalica-Lagercrantz S, et al.

    Cancers 2020; (12(12)) doi:10.3390/cancers12123762.

    PMID: 33327514
  15. 15

    Association of Surgeon Volume with Adherence to American Society of Breast Surgeons Surgical Quality Measures.

    Chan K, Palis BE, Cotler JH, et al.

    Annals of surgical oncology 2025; (32(11)):8144-8155 doi:10.1245/s10434-025-17846-0.

    PMID: 40711684
  16. 16

    Predictive model for 5-year mortality after breast cancer surgery in Taiwan residents.

    Huang SH, Loh JK, Tsai JT, et al.

    Chinese journal of cancer 2017; (36(1)):23 doi:10.1186/s40880-017-0192-9.

    PMID: 28241793

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Your breast cancer team can recommend the right specialists, services, and preparation steps for your individual situation.

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