Chow et al (2001) have suggested that the HER2 and HER3 expression profile is associated with favourable prognosis in bladder cancer patients, which is in agreement with the findings in the present study. In addition, HER3 expression is also associated with better prognosis in breast cancer (Pawlowski et al, 2000) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (Xia et al, 1999). In contrast, Witton et al (2003) have shown that high expression of HER3 is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. The gene discussed is ERBB2; the disease is oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.