Node Positive and NO chemo...any of you ladies have input?

I didn't get the oncotype test either... I was told with positive node involvement, I was getting chemo regardless, so no need for the test.... age was not even mentioned, but I too am / was premenapausal.

I agree with seerena that age is very important. I was 42, stage 1, grade II, no nodes and was offered chemo. My onc told me my age put me in higher risk and if I was at least 10 years older he would be considering no chemo.

My only issue with the chemo is the hair thing... Otherwise it has been tolerable, and i don' regret it at all.

I have one treatment left... but my hair did grown some between 3rd and 4th treatments, so some of it is an inch long... the rest is where I buzzed it at 1/8 inch and by the temples, nothing at all.. its really attractive...:)

node positive can be oncotyped

Omaz,

Thanks for the math site, I would get very little benefit from chemo according to it, less than 3%. I think it said with no treatment I would live 28 yrs as opposed to 30, then the % of a different death. I am very sorry about your neuropathy. I know someone who still has it in her feet, but can drink cold water now (2 yrs out). I fear radiation for my bones, I have osteopenia, for my thyroid (that darn nodule) and my lungs, some scaring there already. My R/O said a small lump would form within 2 year, if it were to recur and we could take it out and do rads. This is if we wanted to watch it. I'll be getting MRI every year with mammograms, and with that breast gone, only small skin left so no more dense breasts.

Since I could get the Oncotype done, even with the positive node, I asked for it.  I wanted to know what the score was because they do look more specifically at the tumor and how it behaves.  They also are a 'second set of eyes' to look over the tumor sample and test it.  It is like having a second opinion on the pathology report, which I was glad for.  I also had my path slides looked at by the path dept of another facility than where I started, and they came up with some different info than the first.  By putting all the info together, I had a better idea of what I was dealing with.

The Oncotype test,is mentioned in the NCCN 2011 Guidelines, page 16.  It does say if your positive node is less than 2mm consider following the Oncotype recommendations using your score. If it's low, then no chemo, intermediate than maybe, if high then yes chemo.  You can look at the flow chart and see where your stats take you.  If the node was greater than 2mm, then it does recommend chemo.

Mine was 3mm, and in the big picture....who knows how important a 1mm difference will be. I think we'll know more in the future once they have more info from the trials using Oncotype,(like the TailorX trial).    In the meantime, we can just do what we think is best in our own particular set of circumstances.  

The oncologist told me that the oncotype test indicated that neither chemo or radiation was needed.  She has put me on Arimidex for five years.  The BS removed eight nodes and two were positive.  My rate of recurrence is 7% for 10 years.  As Sereena wrote, "only time will tell".

Proud mom... I would do the same with the 2 nodes... I don't need rads if I have a MX, so I am in chemo (finish tomorrow) and then MX in July and then tamox for 5 years.. Also seeing an RO Thursday just to cover my bases (in case I decide to do rads instead of MX, but very very unlikely) I want to take care of the supposed good side too that is being monitored.

Edwards750 - I had a call from Genomic today ....appeal was denied ... they are faxing me a letter to appeal on their behalf. The test is the reason I'm not in chemo. We'll see..

Thank you... onto the next step!!

Well... appt with radiation oncologist Thursday... Consult with PS and BS in NOLA for DIEP and MX.. and then most likelt skipping rads and have BMX July 21st in NOLA.... then tamoxifen starting in August.