Just waiting on my Oncotype

Ventress

Howdy all,

I went for a diagnostic Mam in September, had a biopsy in October (Backed up due to BC awarness month), and a lumpectomy in the beginning of November and re-incision a few weeks later. My Oncotype DX was to be send out the beginning of November, but due to my path coming back with positive margins, the paperwork didn't get completed until my surgery followup in December. Then, Genomics has been backlogged...I will finally get my score tomorrow. I tried to call and get the number, but no-go. My MO is out of the office, and no one is allowed to give me that information except the doctor. (one more day..one more day).

I don't have my numbers handy, but tumor was classified as stage 2: about 2.2cm, and my Ki67 was "high".

And, just to make things interesting, I started menopause with a vengeance in November (of my own body's accord), so my inner child has been playing with matches every hour or so. I'm glad that's happening in the winter, but when I do finally sleep from the stress of the waiting game, I get to wake up my own personal summer. Meh.

Ventress

After the results came in, my MO decided to tell me in person on Monday what my score was.

Waiting another week=unacceptable.

So, I asked the pathology department for my records, and found out my Onco. was 24. And while I understand that there are a lot of things to take into consideration, I actually am glad I have a long weekend to think this over. I think that this score is the trickiest for deciding on treatment.

Ventress

Just got done chatting with my MO. Because my Oncotype was 24, and my age is right smack in the middle, we decided to start radiation this week, and get a mammaprint done.

There is no hard rule that says you have to have radiation first. If I'd known that, I'd be just about done, instead of waiting for that damn oncotype test after my Nov 6 surgery.

If the Mammaprint comes back high risk/luminal b, then we'll revisit chemo.

windingshores

Have you gotten your Mammaprint back yet?  Are you going to be treated with anti-estrogen meds? Has anyone started you on them if so?

Do you have the hard copy of your Oncotype report...with the charts and explanations?

I think a 24 Oncotype is the hardest to deal with, because of the uncertainty.  Your score is right smack in the middle of intermediate risk, and it must be a very hard place- hope the Mammaprint helps resolve things!

You could call Genomic Health to talk about your score and what it means.  The website is helpful too. Your ki67 was quite high but your Oncotype didn't really match that. Genomic Health can't tell you the ki67 they got but it is, I have read, more reliable than the pathology lab's ki67. You also have a grade 3 tumor. To me, and that is just me, some of these factors point to chemo being effective because it works best with fast-growing cells. What does your oncologist say?

I did not necessarily interpret my lower Oncotype so much as not needing chemo but that it wouldn't be especially effective and would do more harm than good over time, and also that anti-estrogen meds would work as well.  

I found the customer service at Genomic Health to be really helpful in understanding my test results.