ONCO DX Score of 19

Jenn65

I just received my score yesterday and it was 19. I was a little shocked because BS was pretty positive before the test that I would not need Chemo. I am so torn on what to do. I meet with my Oncologist on Feb. 4 to discuss my results. I would love to hear from women with similar numbers on what they decided and why. I am 48 and my cancer was Stage 1/ Grade 1. Thanks in advance, Jennifer

fati

hello jenn

relaxed thanks to God you don't  hve high score it is not a matter u need chemo or not its recurrence rate.my score was 18 my oncologist say your recurrence is 11% and reduced up to 2 to3% with chemo i opt no chemo you discuse it with your oncologist and decide its your personol decision

Anonymous

jenn65,  My score was also 19 and i am also 48.  I chose to do chemo -- 4 rounds of TC.   I was Stage 1; grade 1 at diagnosis, but after mx (right), I became Stage 2b because the tumor was 2.3 cm and I had a micrometastases in my sentinel node.  I decided to do chemo primarily because of the micrometastasis.  TC chemo wasn't that bad, and I felt it gave me extra "insurance" against a recurrance.  Good luck with your decision!

Halfabanana

My Oncotype score was 18. I was Stage 1, grade 2, ER+ And 52 yrs old.  My onc said that for me, the possible side effects of chemo might not be worth the 2-3% reduction of chance of recurrence, which with Arimidex puts me at about 12-13%. I chose no chemo, but it is a very personal choice. 

LizzieK

Ask your doctor about doing a Mammaprint gene test.  My MO says she uses it for those in the intermediate group to help make the chemo decision.  It's the main gene test they use in Europe.

Hortense

Discuss the pros and cons until you understand them and how they relate to you. 

I was 63, also a 19 oncoscore, but had micro cancer cells in my sentinel nodes, so my doctor felt I should have chemo. We went over the percentages of recurrence and while it was very confusing and frustrating, I went with four rounds of T/C chemo. I am glad on one hand as I hope it would have killed off any stray cancer cells, but I have to say that chemo has changed me. I definitely have some amount of residual "chemo brain" which means that I have trouble doing things like typing, which needs lots of correcting, working with numbers, remembering some things, and I get confused by things that shouldn't be bothering me. I almost feel as if I am becoming my mother as she aged, only much faster.  If the trade off is living disease free, then so be it, but I hadn't expected these changes.

Jenn65

Thanks everyone. It's just kind of a crappy score. A few points higher or lower and I feel the decision would be easier. I have never posted on a message board before but, very surprised how comforting it is to talk about it with people who are going through the same thing. I have very supportive friends and family but, I try to hide how scared I really am from them. Thanks again

edwards750

Bummer Jenn...obviously would have been a lot easier to make THE decision if the score was lower or even higher. Remember though there are no right or wrong answers about your treatment plan - it is what you believe is best for you based on the information you have and the advice of your doctors. It is your life - your body and your decision just don't second guess yourself or look back. I know hard to do and honestly I don't know what I would do. My score was 11 so I was blessed not to have to make that decision. Lets get real here no one wants to do chemo so if we can avoid it of course we will. My sister had an intermediate score and her Oncologist told her no chemo and no RADS. She is very close to the vest so don't really know why and she lives in another state as well. She had a MX; I had a lumpectomy and 33 RADS treatments. Of course the ladies on this forum - see the treatment link can enlighten you on their experiences with chemo - some not so bad - others brutal. I can speak for RADS - piece of cake. Burning and a little fatigue...that's it. Just so you know had I not had the Oncotype test my BS said I would have to have chemo because I had a micromet in my SN. Thankfully the call was my Oncologist's and she wasn't convinced it was the right treatment plan...thus the RADS. Turn to your husband/family and friends and of course the doctors for their input and then decide. Good luck. You will be okay. We are all proof of that....diane

Jenn65

Thanks Diane. My lymph nodes came back clear. I have made a decision I think I will stick with unless the my Oncologist convinces me otherwise. I feel at peace with it right now.

edwards750

Good for you Jenn...keep us posted on how you are doing. Diane