Chemo and Oncotype and What to do!?

Rocky41102

So my oncotype score came back today. It's a 10 which is great! My oncologist is still recommending chemo but has changed his recommendation from AC-T to TC, mainly because I'm 45 and I had 3 positive lymph nodes (1 in breast tissue, 1 sentinel with micromets, and 1 sentinel with macromets and extranodal extension) so he feels chemo is still needed. I am not opposed to chemo because the lymph nodes make me nervous. But has anyone else had a similar situation? Or had a low Oncotype and still did chemo? I'm so worried about recurrence. I'm also Chek2 positive.

I should add I'm also very high estrogen and progesterone positive. I will be doing radiation and then some type of hormone blockers after.

NNS121317

Hey Rocky,

I'm still waiting for my Oncotype score, how long did it take to get yours back?

I haven't met with the MO yet, but with node involvement and being younger (42), I'm thinking I will likely feel better doing chemo, just to throw everything at this cancer now in hopes of preventing a recurrence. I know chemo doesn't guarantee anything, it's mostly the mental side of knowing I tried.

Rocky41102

I think it was just under 3 weeks but it may have been even less. The results were in today and my appointment was October 7 but it may have taken a few days for them to order it!

voraciousreader

i would ask that your case be presented to a tumor board

kathabus

Hi....My score was a 10, too. I was 43 at diagnosis. I had one macromet in a sentinel node and no extra nodal extension.

Instead of chemo I removed my ovaries and went on an aromatase inhibitor, which is a bit more aggressive than just doing Tamoxifen. I did 6 weeks of radiation, as well.

It's a hard call. I think if you are not opposed to it, chemo is a reasonable treatment for your situation. I also think it would be interesting to get a second opinion. Just be prepared that you might get one for chemo and one for not....and then you kind of have to make your own decision anyway.

The good thing is that you are very high progesterone and estrogen, so either way the hormonal treatment will be very beneficial to you. Good luck with it all!

Rocky41102

A tumor board would be helpful but there's not one with my oncologist office. I am getting a second opinion though so hopefully that helps some!