Oncot 29, tumor grade 2, size 7 mm, no lymph involvement chemo?

trigeek

Hey all wonderful ladies (and gents)

I am trying to help a very close friend through the maze of cancer treatment and she is at a bind now in the wonderful grey area.

She is 53 years old

She had ductal invasive 7 mm tumor removed by lumpectomy

Tumor grade is 2, no lymph node involvement, and was planning on following with radiation and hormonal therapy.

However now the oncotype seems to be kinda high, as over 31 is considered high and 18-31 medium, and hers is 29

Oncologist recommended chemo, however is not pushing will honor if she does not want it.

Things have changed so much since my treatment 8 years ago, where there would not have been mention of chemo in this situation as oncotype was not that widely implemented.

Any insights?

Thanks in advance and have a stellar day!

muska

I am sorry to hear your friend has joined our club. I wonder how they confirmed there is no lymph node involvement.

ElaineTherese

Is she HER2+? Chemo is often recommended for HER 2+ cancer, even if it's just Taxol + a targeted therapy like Herceptin. Is she triple negative? Chemo might be recommended for triple negative because the rate of recurrence is relatively high for that kind of cancer.

keepthefaith

trigeek, your friend has a hard decision. I was in the grey area also at 21 and chose to do chemo. My grade was 3, not 2, although the surgical pathology said 2 and biopsy 3. For me, I based my decision on doing all I could, while I had the opportunity. There is always a chance of recurrence, but I wanted to minimize it as much as possible and have no regrets later. Her MO should be able to give her an estimation of the benefit of chemo. She can always get another opinion also. There is also another genomic test called the mammaprint that she may be able to do. Has she been BRCA tested? Chemo was pretty easy for me, relatively speaking. What a great friend you are to reach out for help, on her behalf!

PoppyK

I was 49 when I was diagnosed. My oncologist recommended chemo, but would honor my wishes. (BTW, they all do this.) I chose to have chemo. Since I am young and in good health, I wanted to do everything I can to get rid of the cancer. Chemo has come a long, long way. It was an ordeal, but it was doable. The medical oncologist will work to manage side effects.

Wishing the best to your friend! Glad she has you to help her!

Poppy

Meow13

My oncodx was 34 and I didn't do chemo even though it was recommended. So far I'm ok.

chef127

Like you Meow, my Onco score was 28 and I declined the recommended chemo. So far, all good. I feel many of us can safely forgo chemo but there is no way of knowing who can. It's a crap shoot.

I still agonize about my decision. That's why I'm here on BCO. But NO regrets, even if I progress.

Maureen

trigeek

Muska, the sentinel node biopsy came out clean.

trigeek

keep the faith, yes she will ask for Mammaprint, that seems to give a black and white answer, and more supporting tests the better. Theysaid she does not qualify for brac testing ? (btw I think there is another gene testing nowadays I think?) since there is no fam history.

Elaine, she is her2-, yes for her2+ gals chemo definitely is a lot more beneficial I heard?

At this point the worry is about long term side effects, hard balance. Immedicate side effects are manageable even though they are nasty, but we have no clue whats going to happen to chemo gals in 20-30 years.. and yeah we still wanna be dancing then right?