Oncotype Test

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JudyAnnW
JudyAnnW Member Posts: 28
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hello - There may be a thread on this but I could not find it.  I was hoping to hear from women

who had the test and based on their score, decided against chemo.  I will be having this test

and would appreciate any opinions and info. 

Thanks,

Judy

  

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited July 2010

    Even though my onco score was high intermediate, I chose and was advised to NOT do chemo. I am in good health so that was not a factor. I am 63 but Drs said that did not play a role in making their decision. Grade was important ( low mitosis rate = sluggish cells = not much help from chemo) and high ER score (99%) meant good result with AIs. No + nodes is a BIGGIE so your situation is different from mine. And HER+ status adds Herceptin usually, doesn't it? 

    So the onco score is just one part of the process. Good luck!

    pam 

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited July 2010

    I am 58 (my diagnosis below). I had a 17 score and only one node had micromets (although I think it was contaminated in the OR-but that's another story). The onc told me chemo would reduce my recurrance risk percentage by 3%. For me, that wasn't enough to risk the potential long term se's of chemo. I just finished rads and am staring  Arimidex in the face and probaby will pass on that. I choose to control my ER/PR with the help of a doctor I am working with.

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited July 2010

    Hi JudyAnn,

    My score came back 9, so there would have been no benefit to me for having chemo. However, I understood that the oncotype was only used for node negative, so I don't know how being node positive would make any difference. Also, the scores presume that you do the full hormone treatment (Tamoxifen for me). I was really worried about not doing everything possible to kill the cancer, but was relieved to discover that chemo just would not do me any good. That made my decision easy. I think it's probably a much harder decision when there is some benefit of chemo and you then have to balance that against the risks.

    Good luck in making your decision,

     Karen

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  • JudyAnnW
    JudyAnnW Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2010
    • Thank you for your replies.  My doctor advises I will have to have a blood test to check my
    • hormone levels to be sure I am actually postmenopausal (I am 54).  Have been having hot
    • flashes for about 3 years now so I assumed I must be.  Now, I hope I am to be a candidate
    • for this test ! 
    • Thanks again for all of the food wishes.
    • Judy
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  • JudyAnnW
    JudyAnnW Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2010

    I meant "good wishes"  Not FOOD wishes - Sorry !

    Judy

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  • bonniewe
    bonniewe Member Posts: 42
    edited July 2010

    I had my surgery June 9, lumpectomy; IDC 1.8cm; no nodes;  ER+ (100%)/ PR+ (95%)/ HER2-; Onco score 21.     I had 4 meetings with 2 oncologists, a meeting with my rad oncologist and my surgeon, all indicated that they would not tell me to have chemo because chemo would only reduce my recurrence rate by 2 - 3%.   So, I have my radiation set-up/tatoo tomorrow and start radiation (if my lymphedema and hematoma are better) on Tuesday.    Will start arimidex when the oncologists and radiologist agree on the date.    Good luck!

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  • Lindy137
    Lindy137 Member Posts: 60
    edited September 2010

    I also scored 21 and went directly to radiation.  Have been taking tamoxifen for a week now and determined to stick with it.  Can't believe how quick summer flew by doing rads and working full time.   

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