Oncotype14... Chemo or no chemo?

Santa603

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 days after I had a total abdominal hysterectomy (polyps). During my pre-op for that procedure they got me in for a mammo

and well you guys know the story.... 8000 images and Ultrasound and Biopsy later.... to what I thought was fatty tissue it was a tumor 4.5 cm.

Six weeks later, I had a left breast mastecomy with reconstruction. (still have the spacer) right breat had a reduction...

Once surgery was over i was told one lymphnode came back positive. Cancer broke thru the node and was heading for another.

The oncotype finally came back today as a 14. Chemo or no chemo? They are recommending radiation and we've had the discussion regarding

chemo. Haven't spoken to my oncologist yet regarding the results..... I'm mentally prepared for goingthe chemo route if needed.

Jackster51

Have you had any other scans done of the body to check for spreading? A score of 14 is low and I would hesitate with chemo.

EastcoastTS

My Oncotype was also 14 -- talked to two MOs (one at MD Anderson) and one RO (even though I wasn't getting radiation, she weighed in). No chemo.

However, I had no node involvement and smaller tumor than yours. And age could be a factor. I'm 49 and actually on the somewhat younger side but still no chemo recommended. I was also prepared to do it. If you are younger, this could impact decision perhaps. Talk to your MO.

Sounds crazy, but just to make sure, I also had Mammaprint done. Because I was coming in a little higher on the low risk with Oncotype in my mind. I came in Luminal A with Mamma. Doctor I know was like: really, you're making me order this? But if I was saying no to chemo, I wanted to make sure I had all the facts. Even if insurance had not covered, which they did, I was willing. Plus, I kinda like having all this info. about the beast I'm dealing with.

I hope this helps. Please take care and remember to take a deep breath every now and then. You WILL get through this.

ChiSandy

Considering that OncotypeDX is now being offered to patients with 1-3 positive nodes, the single positive node doesn’t outweigh the low-risk score. That low score means that there would likely pose a higher risk to your health in general (from the chemo killing all your normal rapidly-dividing cells) than it would benefit you—it only kills rapidly-dividing cells, not non-aggressive ones. Chemo isn’t simply an unpleasant and burdensome treatment option—it carries some serious risks (some can be permanent) that are not worth taking if it’s not likely to benefit you—especially if your tumor is vulnerable to estrogen deprivation alone. I would be very surprised if your MO recommended anything beyond anti-hormonals (tamoxifen or an AI).

Knitpig

I had an Oncotype of 13 and I did not have chemo. I am 33.