Is KI-67 score relevant?

Taralynn

I was looking at the copy of my biopsy report from my surgeon. It shows I am ER+, PR+ and her2- , grade 2. it also mentions the KI-67 being 28% and 37% on the two biopsy sites. I know that’s high. She never even mentioned this score to me and I didn’t know it was on the report until after my appt or I would have asked. I searched a bit here and some say it’s not really a relevant factor and many say their report doesn’t even mention it. I felt pretty positive with my grade 2 assessment especially that the mitotic score on both samples was a 1. But this ki-67 score just deflates my positivity a bit. Maybe the tumor is more aggressive than I thought. Can anyone explain these scores a bit?

kksmom3

I had a Stage 1A, 3 mm tumor, grade 2. Same as you, ER,PR +, HER2 neg. However, my Ki-67 was 37%. My mitotic rate was also 1. I asked my MO about it. I knew it was considered high. She was a little puzzled by it, but said they give a lot more credence to the mitotic rate. Are they doing an oncotype? I didn't get one, thankfully, I was never a candidate for chemo, so that test wasn't needed. I'm assuming you will be getting that test, and I hope that will come back low. Oh, it doesn't look like you've had surgery yet. Not sure if they do the oncotype on the biopsied tissue, or on the lumpectomy/mastectomy tissue. I know other ladies here will know for sure. My MO said not to worry about it, but that's easier said than done. And it's true that many hospitals don't report it, so it must be only a small piece of the puzzle. When you meet with your MO, I would ask about it. I'd also love to know what they say. However, I'm 2 years out and fine, so I'm sure all will be well for you too!

Taralynn

Thanks kksmom! She did mention doing an Oncotype test with the surgical pathology. So curious where I fall On that scale. I will definitely be asking the MO and will update

buttonsmachine

Taralynn, my understanding is that while Ki67 scores are useful information, doctors do not really make clinical decisions based on them as a stand-alone factor, at least not in breast cancer. The Oncotype score is more geared toward guiding clinical decisions.

The Ki67 score represents the percentage of cancer cells that are currently dividing, so a higher Ki67 might indicate a more aggressive or fast-growing cancer. My cancer grade, Ki67, and Oncotype all agreed with each other and were both very high.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.