Oncotype Test intermediate results, Risk vs Benefit

mkat

Morning All- my first post and needing some advise - Risk vs. Benefit

49 diagnosed in May 2017, IDC, R mastectomy 6/2017with expander, nodes removed neg, clean margins, IDC, Er/Pr pos, HR neg, Bone scan neg, Three children 16yr twins & 12yr.

I fall into the GREY zone with onco score 22 stating chemo will increase my odds only 2%. I am struggling with the decision that falls into my lap, is the risk worth the benefit. Dr. will only recommend 5% or more benefit, otherwise It is my decision. Most worried about the long term effects/damage chemo will do on my body making me weaker to fight off a returning cancer should it happen. Anyone in/has been in a similar situation, would love to hear how you handled treatment.

pure0323

mkat-I wasn't diagnosed stage 2 but my onco was 22...which by the way is my "lucky" number I use it for everything. I was 40 with a 13 yr old son an 19 year old daughter second year in college. I'm sure it increased my odds even less than you, but I took the chemo. 4 rounds TC lost my hair but didn't care, taught 3rd grade and didn't miss a day of work. Did I feel good the whole time?..heck no, but I'm an all in kind of girl. I did it because I wanted my family to know I did everything possible to be here, disease free as long as possible. This July was 6 years. Had some scares along the way but I'm here and NED as far as we know.

That's just my story. There are many smart women that I'm sure will come along soon and offer more advice. Just wanted to reply. Good luck and bless you and your family.

DawnP64

Hi mkat - have you considered getting a second opinion? I had an onco score of 19 with 12% risk of recurrence with or without chemo. However, I had one positive lymph node. My first oncologist was noncommittal as to whether chemo was right for me. I went for a 2nd opinion and he (my now current oncologist) advised that I should have chemo. I struggled a lot with the decision, but what pushed me to decide for the chemo was the lymph node involvement. It's great your lymph nodes were negative! A second opinion may not change anything, but more info shouldn't hurt either.

keepthefaith

mkat, I was 21 onco-score. You may want to ask your MO about the mammaprint test.

Best wishes

Optimist52

My score was also 22. My MO was quite definite about the risks (some possibly permanent) of chemo NOT being worth any possible benefits. A year later my new MO confirmed this. There is a big difference between results at the lower end of the intermediate range and those at the higher end. Also for you with negative nodes it makes the decision easier. Hormone therapy will be valuable to you to help prevent recurrence.

RunsWithTurtles

Your case sounds like mine: oncotype 19. My tumor was larger and grade 3. High risk mammaprint. 1st oncologist (at a big university center) said absolutely chemo. 2nd (near where I live where I planned to get the chemo) said absolutely no chemo. 3rd said: here's the numbers and you make the choice. I'm going to do TC x 4 starting in August based on onc #3's recommendation. The disagreement between the oncologists was awful, but being a mom of 4 young kids, I decided to go ahead and do chemo to hopefully reduce my risk in the future. I opted not to go for onc #1's recommendation which included adriamycin. Onc #3 (Duke) told me that with node negative disease the adriamycin wouldn't add much and the potential risk is much higher. I'm a physician and planning to work through chemo if possible.

Lisey

I had a 20 score, and got the the mamma print as a second opinion. It came back low risk, so no chemo for me!. I think all ladies with intermediate on oncotpye should get the mammaprint. It'll be $500 out of pocket for me and totally worth it to know for sure.