Oncotype after radiation

MissTW
MissTW Member Posts: 98
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Hello! I completed 6 weeks of radiation recently for Stage 1 ILC/LCIS intermediate grade ER+, HER negative and o nodes.

Both my breast surgeon and oncologist forgot to send out my tumor slide for an Oncotype score prior to radiation until I reminded them.

I received a call from my Oncologists office, he wants to see me and  go over my Oncotype score. I have a feeling the score is high and I am upset.

Is it true that if chemo is recommended I was supposed to have chemo prior to radiation?

I had Stage 3 colon cancer 3 years ago and I cannot mentally  accept another course of chemo.

I was recently divorced and cannot affford to take off work, I have 2 children.

Is the Oncotype for recurrance for the same breast or mets to another area? I worry about colon cancer recurrance and now this!

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Comments

  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited January 2011

    Miss TW I am sorry you are having to face BC in addition to colon cancer.  That stinks!  In my area, we use MammPrint instead of Oncotype and I was Stage IIB with positive nodes so they didn't bother to do the test.  I really don't know the answer to your question but I know others will come along shortly and give you better answers.  I just wanted to say hello and tell you I am sending hugs your way for things to get better.

    Also, you might want to check in to the Stage 1 Sisters forum.  I remember reading a whole bunch of information there about Oncotype testing.

    Susan

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited January 2011

    Hi, Miss TW. That stinks about the double whammy of colon and bc. Have any of the docs considered Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome? I don't know a lot about it other than it elevates a person's risk for both breast and colon cancer.

    Regarding the radiation/chemo timing. The radiation is given to help prevent local recurrence and the chemo is given to help prevent metastases. So the chemo is usually given first, since the mets are of more concern. However, I can't think of a clinical reason why you couldn't have chemo after rads if your Oncotype score warrants it.

    RE: the Oncotype score--it reflects the likelihood of mets.

    If it's any consolation, classic ILC usually comes back with a low Oncotype score. I had pleomorphic ILC, which is more aggressive, and even then my score was only 18. The high scores are usually grade 3 and/or HER2 + tumors. Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but the odds are in your favor for no chemo. Maybe the onc just wants to go over the report in person so everything is clear. It's hard to say.

    Good luck, and keep us posted!

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited January 2011
    Ms TW - I think that it's really common for oncologists to want to review the oncotype with patients in person.You don't say when you can get an appointment with your oncologist but I hope it's soon. The waiting and unknown is the hardest part. I also had pleiomorphic ILC, grade 2 and my oncotype was 12 so it is possible to have a low oncotype with ILC. I hope the same results for you.
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  • MissTW
    MissTW Member Posts: 98
    edited January 2011

    My oncotype score was 22, low intermediate. No chemo for me!!!!

    My oncologist said that tamoxifen is the best drug for me to avoid a reccurence.

    Thank you for the kind words!

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