Risk vs Benefit with Oncotype score 22

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, Will be on tam for 5 yrs. 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.

Joe4dis

I don't have an answer for you but want to see what others recommend for you. I am 48 (near 49) with grown children. I had 2.3cm and dcis in in right breast. Had double mastectomy 7/6 with expanders. I had 2 nodes removed (2 slightly over macro and the other micro). I met with the oncologist on Friday and said it was my choice as well (OncoDx of 19). My risk shows 12% recurrence with or without but since I'm node positive the study that is based on is small do it could vary by 8-9% I had no extronodal involvement, grade 1, stage 2b. Near sure I'll need radiation and of course a blocker (er/pr +, her2-). Such a difficult decision. Considering a second option but bring in the grey area not sure I find it's worth it.

tlgio17

Hi there, just sharing that my onco score was 23 and they recommended chemo and radiation for me. I had two out of five nodes positive. I just finished AC and Taxol and am now on my second week of radiation. So far so good. Hope you are able to find what's best for you as well.

Stay strong,

Traci

Optimist52

Hi mkat, I had the same score of 22 as you. My MO was quite certain that the risks of chemo would be greater than the benefits. I have another MO now who confirmed this for me a year later. With no positive nodes you're in a good situation to go ahead with hormone therapy. Good luck with everything.

pinkpantherSF

I got an Oncotype score of 21, I'm age 38, Stage 1 Grade 2 IDC 2cm right breast with clean margins from lumpectomy and no cancer cells found in sentinel lymph node, but my MO recommends chemo (4 rounds of TC). I went to get a second opinion and the second opinion doctor told me that while this chemo regimen is pretty standard, my impression was that he seemed to question if the benefits of chemo are worth the side effects, but left it up to me to decide what I want to do or feel comfortable with (whether I am risk averse or more tolerable with some risk). He also said that many doctors are divided over how to treat with chemo, some doctors are more aggressive about it and are more likely to recommend chemo than not. I'm so confused on what I should do... I feel like the only reason I am considering chemo or that my MO recommended chemo is because of my age and my Oncotype score. My MO also suggested an alternative treatment to suppress/shut down my ovaries (I think she mentioned Lupron or something). Any thoughts? I think chemo will reduce my recurrence percentage by 4-5%, I have no idea if it's worth it.

Moderators

Hi PinkPanther-

We totally understand, it's a big decision! It's good you sought a second opinion, but clearly it wasn't as definitive as you would have hoped. We suggest taking some time to read through our the chemo forum, and familiarize yourself with some of the possible side effects and benefits of doing the chemo. The gray area is a hard place to be! If you need some more info on Lupron and what you can expect if you choose to do the chemo, we have some info on our main site: http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/t....

Let us know what you ultimately decide!

The Mods

pinkpantherSF

thank you for the tip!