NEW Oncotype Dx Roll Call Thread

No, I am post menopausal and am osteopenic with stroke running in my family along with heart problems so I am lowering my estrogen naturally with supplements and diet.,

I consider that lowering  my estrogen is the same effect as an AI so that is how I view it.

sweetcorn...

How did you get approved for Abraxane? I asked about using it instead of Taxotere since it doesn't have the Cremphor stuff that may be causing more side effects. My Onc said it wasn't approved yet to use for adjuvant therapy, only later stages.  Maybe they have changed that now? It is supposed to be much easier to tolerate.

Lee

Hi Jane,

Hopefully you won't have to worry about insurance issues. The important thing is you're getting Abraxane which really is suppose to have less SE's than the other taxanes and that's a huge plus.  Remember to take of yourself and don't try to work too much if you find you need the rest!

Lee

Hi, just found this site.  Oncotype DX 29, 19% reoccurance rate with hormone therapy only.  Had LMP and SNB - all nodes clear.  Decided on chemo - 6 times FEC-T (UK protocol akin to FAC/CAF plus T in the US).  Radiation and 5 years of Tamoxifen.  Been through 2 cycles of chemo so far - coping well.  Tried the cold cap, but no success.  I've gone Emma Watson short, but am still losing hair.  Bought a gorgeous wig - now I just have to get used to wearing it.

Nice to meet you all.

Oncotype score 8.  Age 46. MX, radiation, 5 years Tamoxifen.

Onco score 23 with 14% recurrance rate.  Decided against chemo because the benefit would be so little.  Lump-SNB no node involvment, and rads. Tamoxifen 5 years and upcoming MX due to nerve damage from Lump and rads.

Hi all and thank you for some very interesting posts! I had an oncotest dx test done at lumpectomy/excisional biopsy which found a 8.9 cm grade 1 ILC tumor in March after 2 inconclusive a biopsy attempts. Before the BMX I had breadt MRI which cleared the non cancer side but decided to proceed with the PMX as ILC is a high risk for contralateral cancer.

The oncotest score was low 10. Which generally precludes the that chemo will not benefit me. But considering the large tumor size, node met 1 out of 5, premenopausal and 46 years old and not doing an axillary clearance the chemo opts as a good insurance policy. I am doing FEC-T and using a fasting regimen to minimize SEs and damage to healthy cells, eating healthily and avoiding infections by being careful and so far so good after 2TX I recover well and feel fine after a day or so.

The adjuvant online indicated a 7% benefit over hormone therapy alone which is persuasive when weighing up options. Treatment is a very individual decision for each clinical situation and what is an acceptable risk to one may not be to another. After chemo I will have 35 rads and the tamoxifen for 5 years. I want to die of old age in my own bed!

I know of illinoisNancy from the April 11 surgery forum who returned a very low oncotype (9) ILC and is now dealing with a recurrence regretting not doing chemo first time.

My own post surgery pathology found another MRI blind tumor in the cancer side of 1.6 cm and extensive multifocal LCIS in the healthy prophylactic side.

Listening to your deepest instincts can also be a lifesaver!

((HUGS))) and Good luck everyone on your journey!

Aug - the Oncotype score is a recurrence score...the score is referred to as the RS -or recourrence score. It does not predict metastasis - although undoubtedly some of the women who recurr will do so in distant locations from the breast. It's just the nature of the beast. 

I see your point - reading that quote, I would agree they are talking about mets as opposed to recurrance -which to us means a totally different thing! I was reading about the TaylorRX trial, and from that information it appeared the OncotypeDX was about recurrance - I think we have a case of them using the word out of context for the definition we have of it. Reading your quote, I'd have to agree with your take on it. I know they both suck, but they are not the same!

Clyn: I had 3 consults with 3 oncs. One of them indicated she would recommend chemo no matter what my oncotype score was. she also stated that I'm young, healthy and would be able to tolerate chemo.



My final path bumped me from grade 2-3, tumor from 1.9 to 2.4, no lvi to lvi present. I'm young (46) and premeno. As far as I saw it, too many strikes against me not to opt for chemo. Fwiw I still question tumor size and will have my slides reviewed or whatever I can have done at this point. I think dcis was added in to size which made the tumor larger, this size moved me from stage I to II.



Ironically my oncotype results came back the day I finished my first tx, there was a technical glitch in sending in the sample, but I had already made the decision based on that oncs suggestion.



My oncotype came back at 21 - low/intermediate. At first I questioned my decision to continue chemo. I thought the score would have been higher due to my grade, but path is subjective.



To be honest, it is a very difficult decision to make, but for me, I wish to live life with no regrets. I view chemo as an insurance policy, however, there are no guarantees, but at least I knew I threw everything at it when I was in the best position to do so. I have now finished 2 of 4 TC treatments.



Chemo is not a walk in the park, but it isn't as difficult as I imagined either. I have managed to sail through with very few SEs from chemo, for me pre chemo meds give me more problems than chemo.



Wish you the best in your decision. Making it, embracing it and moving forward is the most difficult part.

Clyn & Corinne, I recently had my oncotest done & it came back sooner than expected. The MOs office sent a inquiry & insurance checked. That took Mon-Thurs. I heard from Genomic health on Thurs telling me the insurance stuff. Then I heard from Genomic health  the following Tues because they recieve 2 tumors & they asked me if I wanted both tumors tested......then I heard fron the MO 2 days later with the results. I was surprised how fast that wait was, One of my shorter waits in this whole process. Hope the 4th holiday doesn't slow things down for you.

I just got my score.  I am low/intermediate with a score of 21.  I have had two conflicting MO recommendations to date.  One stated that with my pathlology report (2%ki67, and strongly er/pr+) that I shouldn't get it.  I have another that wants me to get it starting as early as next week.

I need think about this tonight. 

My path report states that I am grade 1/stage 1.  I am going to get a 3rd opinion. I am a combo of stress, frustration, anger and disappoinment right now.  I really thought that I would have a low score based upon everything in my reports. 

I am angry bc I am grey for both radiation and chemo now.  I had a BMX, with a close margin which they are reviewing and determining whether I need radiation.  Butt this up against an low/intermediate RS and I am just in a fog right now.

 Cancer sucks.