ER/PR+, 2A, HER2- Clear nodes, Onco 15 NO Chemo?

9lives70

just had my BMX 2/28 fortunately with clear nodes and margins. based on my stats,above, I've consulted 2 reputable MOs and both have said chemo would be a little to no benefit and therefore do not recommend it.

they put my recurrence risk a 10% if I take five years of tamoxifen and 20% if I don't take tamoxifen.

Of course I am both thrilled and terrified at the prospect of no chemo. I have heard from others that had the same stats as me and same onco score of 15 and their MOs recommended 4 rounds of chemo and Tamoxifen. What gives?

If any of you had similar stats and scores I would love to hear the course you chose...

Falconer

Same as you; just taking hormone therapy.

Luckynumber47

Hi 9lives70, glad you got the stress of picking your surgeon behind you and are well on your way to healing.

I didn't have exactly the same pathology as you, my tumor was a little smaller - 1.5cm, otherwise we're pretty close. My Oncotype was 18, the very lowest of the gray area, and chemo was never suggested. Isn't there a little bar graph on your Oncotype report that shows your expected chemo benefit? Mine showed a negative benefit.

I'm super grateful I was able to skip chemo. I'm religious about taking my AI and work hard to get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week to grab all the cancer preventing benefits that exercise gives.

9lives70

Hi there luckynumber47

I am SO glad my first surgery is behind me though the TE's are an annoyance. But more than anything so grateful NOT to have to do chemo.. Miracle of miracles, and I did look at my report again and it did show a negative benefit, so yay on that. Now onto the Tamoxifen, another thing I am dreading and not sure I want to do!! I really need to get on the exercise train. I have in no way been getting enough. Too much time on my butt at my desk but I need to make it a priority now.

In the end my surgeon and I have ended up getting along very well. The key has been using humor and sarcasm and checking him that way when necessary. Now I make him laugh and call him out on any crap he tries to give me and he seems to respect that. Also my breast surgeon was a true angel. So they have been a great team. I am grateful.

maryny16

Hi there -

I had similar ooo-type scores (12 and 16 -- on my two invasive tumors) and clear lympnodes. Two NYC oncologists said no chemo --- I am doing monthly Lupron shots and AI and have had very terrible side effects of dizziness, insomnia and hourly hot-flashes, Also gained 15 lbs in 3 months of barely eating anything!! Forced menopause is not great in your 40's.....Alternatives are worse so I stay grateful.

Hope your treatment goes well and glad your scores were low enough to avoid chemo.....