Scared!

Terricka

I was officially diagnosed on 10/9/2020. I finally got some test results back. Im Hormone positive both HER2 neg. But my KI-67 score is 40% High risk. What does that mean? Im scared!!!! What should I be asking the doctor? What are the preferred treatments for this type?

Beesie

Ki-67 isn't used to make treatment decisions. In fact many major cancer centers don't even include it in their pathology reports.

But Ki-67 is one of the 21 genes analyzed within the Oncotype test, so a high Ki-67 it will act to increase your score. But there may be other factors within your pathology that work to decrease your score (high ER and high PR would be two examples), so a high Ki-67 alone does not mean that you will have a high score.

I don't remember the rest of your diagnosis or your age (which also factors into the Oncotype test; once you have your score, there are different guidelines for those aged 50 & younger vs. those over age 50) and there are many factors more important that Ki-67 that will drive the Oncotype score and the treatment decisions. Your oncologist will not look at your diagnosis from the standpoint of a single factor, and certainly not Ki-67.

Slmurray

I was just diagnosed and am scared too, same hormone pos, HER2 neg...I don't know about the Oncotype test yet, but grade 2 with what feels like one larger than normal lymph node. I don't know if that means panic or not. Being 45 and no cancer history in my family the surgeon says is not typical. Should that worry me? If they tumor is small, 10mm, I'm told surgery, radiation and hormone therapy...is this the typical routine?

I'm usually so healthy, but now I'm not sleeping and have had a horrendous heach-ache since the diagnosis. Which also worries me, she did ask if I had headaches, at the time the answer was no...now it's constant. I'm hoping it's stress.

It's a comfort to know so many of you have such great advice and have made it with great attitudes. I hope I get there soon. I'll be thinking of you Terricka

AliceBastable

A headache that just started isn't likely to be anything but stress.

moth

Only 5-10% of breast cancer is related to family history so no cancer history in family is not really unique.
For hormone positive cancer, you'll wait till after surgery to make other decisions. If you have a lumpectomy, radiation is required. For a mastectomy, if you don't have lymph node involvement, you would be able to avoid radiation.

odds are your tumor sample will be sent for Oncotype testing to help determine recurrence score and recommendations regarding chemotherapy. The younger you are, the higher the Grade, the less strongly hormone receptor positive your tumor, the more lymph node involvement, the more likely chemo would be recommended.

Hang in there Terricka and Slmurray. This is the hardest time. Once you get a treatment plan in place and start doing something, you'll feel more in control and this will all feel more do-able. Check out the IDC forums, the surgery threads etc here. Just reading through you will learn lots and that will help you with your discussions with physicians.

Slmurray

thank you, the more I read and see in these discussions the better I'm feeling, you all that have been through this and take the time to give advice and offer suggestions aremore important than you'll ever know!