Anyone low oncotype dx..and then recurrence?

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shejoh
shejoh Member Posts: 54

my oncotype score is 8 which is very low and very good...My oncologist says he is stil in a green area about a sure treatment..as my age is 34..the data for the oncotype dx is from older patients..but if you look at that research my benefit from chemo is only 3%. he wouldn't recommend chemo..but just tamoxifen,zolodex and zomata. my question is if cancer has spread at cellular level...it's not going to show up in any test until it grows a little bit. I had grade 3 cancer. all nodes were negative..anyone with low oncotype dx with recurrence?  thanks for your replies...

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited April 2009

    Just bumping this up for Shejoh.

     I might consider a second opinion from an expert breast cancer center for these important questions (age and grade of tumor). It's always appropriate to ask for additional insight.

    Good questions, and I wish you well in your treatments,

    Tender 

  • shejoh
    shejoh Member Posts: 54
    edited April 2009

    THANK YOU Tender for your response...

    take care and wish you well

  • pitanga
    pitanga Member Posts: 596
    edited April 2009

    shejoh, just chiming in with tender, i would vote for a 2nd opinion. i was also under 40 when first dx´d. no one ever said anything to me about my oncotype, but even though my tumor was smal --1.2 cm and only grade 2, still it was growing quickly. all my best to you--Lisa

  • NYCarol
    NYCarol Member Posts: 347
    edited April 2009

    Also keep in mind that chemo is not without damage to your body.  I imagine your oncologist considered that as well as the oncotype score.  It really is a tightrope we all walk.

    Second opinions are always valuable. 

    Carol

  • NCC
    NCC Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2009

    Shejon, I am a bit older than you and my oncotype score is low and I take tamoxifin.  I feel very confident with my oncologist as she is highly regarded in Dallas.  She says with a less than 5% reoccurance rate chemo is just not worth what it does to the body..  She stated any oncotype score of less than 18% AND taking an estrogen phohibiter would drop the score to less than this 5%.  I am having other problems, but not with this. Good luck, Nancy

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2009

    You are awfully young, which can mean a more aggressive cancer.  I agree with a second opinion.  If you really feel nervous about it, you can still choose chemo.

  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited April 2009

    Pitanga,

    for what it's worth, the oncotype dx test has only been around for a few years (2006/07 I believe) and that's why it wouldn't have been mentioned for your first dx.

    Member, correct me if I'm wrong.

    Hugs to all,

    Trish

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