Oncotype 17 and angiolymphatic invasion

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mdg
mdg Member Posts: 3,571
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

You can see my stats below.  I go the oncotype back and it was 17 - the highest number in the low range.  I was talking to my med onc about the pathology report and am concered about angiolymphatic invasion (listed as present on pathology from lumpectomy).  I am doing BLMX next week.  I am going to a Nat'l Cancer Institute and the med onc said she does not recommend chemo based on oncotype.  She will put me on tamox for 5 years.  I questioned angiolymphatic invasion and she said it does put me at a slightly higher risk, but there are other things that are more worrysome (Grade 3, HER2, nodes positive, etc..).  She indicated that I am at 11% chance of distant recurrence and chemo may only offer 1-3% reduction.  She also said that since I have more slower growing cells it may not even help as chemo is looking for rapidly reproducing/dividing cells and mine move slower.  I am 45 years old with a 4 year old son.  I am so worried and just don't know what to do.  Right now I plan on going to the second NCI in my area for a second opinion.  Anyone have anything similar that can share what your med onc suggested?  I am just worried that because I have angiolymphatic invasion that cells have moved towards blood or lymph vessels and chemo may be the only way to blast them now.  I know chemo has side effects I need to consider and my med onc says risks don't outweigh benefits but she will give me chemo if I want it and it gives me piece of mind.  She is suggesting TCX4 if I do it.  HELP!!!!! 

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  • jessica749
    jessica749 Member Posts: 429
    edited March 2011

    I think you need to do what gives you the peace of mind, after thoroughly exploring the side effects of the proposed chemo treatment, weighed against benefit of 1 - 3%. I'm single mom to 6 yo son and am 48, I relate to your fears. My onc however, is not as flexible as yours. My onc is firm: no chemo unless I have a "high" oncotype score (results in approx 1 week). No discussion! That's it. No chemo on intermediate score. I said, but what about my high grade. He said, yes , I understand. But the oncotype test trumps the pathologist subjective view, says my onc. I have some degree of confidence in my onc, and the institutiion he is with, of course, but worry nonetheless. I don't have your angiolymphatic invasion...but if I were you, I would thoroughly weigh treatment side effects, perhaps get second opionion after you have info onthe proposed treatment and side effects, but know that the second opinion might raise more Qs than answers. That's why I'm not getting a second opinion: because where I live, I'm at the nat'l cancer center, so I wouldn't have more confidence in the second opinion...even if it told me what I 'wanted' i.e. yes chemo even wtih 'intermediate' score...(for me).

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  • jessica749
    jessica749 Member Posts: 429
    edited March 2011
    I just wanted to add that my onc is also telling me that the 'black and white' clear and obvious treatment for me is Tamoxifen for 5 yrs....Smile
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