ERBB2 and neoplasm: In our patient collective, serum ECD levels (median, range) also tended to be higher in patients with grade 3+ Her-2/neu overexpressing tumours (45.2, 5.2–6076.2 ng ml−1) than in patients with grade 2+ Her-2/neu overexpressing tumours (15.4, 11.2–245.4 ng ml−1), but without statistical significance (P=0.734).