stupid question

bean4865

stupid question

bean4865

O.K. I know this is probably going to sound stupid, but I had my gene testing done on Jan. 7. The results are back. I will find out Monday...now the question: will they know my oncotype dx from this testing or is that a seperate test? You guys are great with all your answers. I have bragged so much about this website to others. You all have taught me more than the doctors. Thanks bunches!!!!!!!!!!

nash

When you say gene testing, do you mean testing to see if you are a BRCA gene carrier? Or do you mean the Oncotype Dx, which checks 21 genes and gives you a recurrence score?

trigeek

I thought that oncotype had to be done during surgery taking a frozen section from the tumor - am I totally off track ?

ps123

If by gene test you mean the test to see if you're a carrier of the BRCA gene then that is different from the oncotype test, which is used to help determine whether or not chemo will be of any benefit to you.

Pat

wishiwere

Trigeek, the Oncotype is done on samples from the bx/surgery removal and then put in a paraffin type substance and sent to the place in cal. that does that testing. 

I think Kathleen was talking about the BRCA gene testing. Totally different.

bean4865

So sorry...yes I meant the BRCA gene test to see if you carry the gene. I am going to call my onco's office today and ask because if they are going to talk about my treatment...how can they if they did not do the onco test. Thanks so much to all you guys. You have taught me so much.

paige-allyson

Is there any benefit/purpose to getting oncotype testing besides as a way of determining whether to do chemo? Allyson

nash

Kathleen, I would definately wait for your oncotype score before commiting to treatment. Maybe it's back already and they didn't mention it? The BRCA testing takes several weeks, and I seem to remember my Oncotype testing coming back faster than that, so it's possible both are back in already for you.

Allyson--the Oncotype gives a recurrence score (% of women with a similar genetic tumor who had a recurrence within 10 years). Its sole purpose is basically to drive the treatment decision. It's only available for Stage 1 and Stage 2, node negative, hormone positive patients. 

bean4865

I was told that the brca gene test would take 4-8 weeks. I am thinking this must be the onco because it's only been 3 weeks...I don't know.

Has anyone out there ever had a port cath put in for chemo...probably another dumb question as I am sure alot of you have, but my anesthesiologist and a nurse at the hospital both recommend it if I do need chemo. They said chemo is really rough on your veins. I only have the one arm to work with because of the lymph node removal. How bad is it? How long is recovery? I am almost as scared of this as my other surgerys. I probably shouldn't think about it until after my appointment, but I just love to OBSESS!!!!

nash

Having the port is a good idea, especially if you'll be getting adriamycin, which will cause tissue necrosis if the IV infiltrates. My onc insists all her patients have a port, regardless of the chemo combo.

The port insertion is an out-patient procedure. I had mine done under conscious sedation. I was sore for about a week, but I had a lot of bruising that was causing pain. I think my bruising was worse than most people's, b/c the chemo nurses looked at it and said, "What they do, beat you up to get that in there?"

So, really the port isn't a big deal. I'm happy I had mine for chemo and the countless blood draws.

And, yes, sounds like it might be your oncotype results that are back in, especially if the onc wants to discuss treatment with you.