Stage1/Grade 3 IDC&DCIS 2cm any chemo?

Hi, I'm in a similar boat as you. I won't see my oncologist until 1/11 but have Stage 1/Grade 2 IDC 1.8 cm - I think I am in the beginning of menopause (which I hear makes a difference on where we are at hormonally)...I am playing this guessing game as to whether I will need chemo. I had breast conservation surgery so I will definitely need radiation but not sure about chemo and hoping someone could also share.  Do you know how long it takes for the Oncotype test results? The waiting is the hardest part...

My diagnosis was nearly the same, but I had two tumors. I had a bilateral mast. on November 3, four nodes removed all clear, but a positive margin. Due to the margin and the grade 3 and my age, my doc said yes to chemo. I'm doing radiation after that. Had my first infusion of TC on 12/27.

My diagnosis measured the tumor at 3.2 cm which put it at a stage 11a, My MO said she would have recommended Chemo normaly for a this stage BUT we had the results of the oncotype test. The recurrence score was 2 which gives a 4% chance of recurrence over 10 ys. She also told me that this ment that the tumor was not going to respond to chemo (acording to research). She did not tell me not to take the chemo because she wanted me to be satisfied with my decision. Her recommendation was no chemo though. I also had a very low Ki67 score. So for me no Chemo......I know its hard to wait but you need all the test results back so YOU can make an informed dicision. I have found through this that the doctors will give you the information, sometimes there recommendations, but in the end they will leave the dicisions up to you......so gather as much information as you can. It helps when it's time to decide.

Sassa you just helped with a question I had reading my pathology report yesterday. There was a mention in it of an area of DCIS .9 cm, separate from my IDC of 1.8 cm, grade 2 (I am HR+ and HER2-)...I couldn't understand the second reading but apparently that must means there was another area with DCIS. I had a lumpectomy, negative nodes, clear margins...still have no idea if I will have chemo. and wondering if I should have a second opinion if insurance will pay for that...?? Rhondalee, I'm new to all this also and it is at times overwhelming. It sort of reminds me of housecleaning, every time I clean something, I find five more things to clean. Every time I uncover an answer to a question, I find five more questions....also, I have to have radiation and 5 years of hormone therapy.....but if I do chemo does that override the hormone therapy??? All input and answers are SO appreciated by us newbies.  

Hi rhondalee,

My guess would be that you are only slightly ER+, with the other hormone receptors negative as you mentioned. If this is the case, along with the grade 3, it is similar to a triple neg. The lower the ER+ or other hormone receptors, the higher the Oncotype score. This seems to be the case anyway.

HTH,

PLJ

If your doctor knew you were grade 3 before ordering the oncotype test, I am surprised she wasted the money.  Those of us with grade 3 tumors will score high on the oncotype.  I have no idea what my score would have been if the test would have been done, but I am sure the test result would have been as high or higher (I am HER2+) as your result.

What many people miss about the oncotype test is that it is a tool to determine how much potential advantage you will receive from chemotherapy.  Because it would not be good marketing to have the truth told that low score= slow grower with the long term chance of mets without any form of effective chemo, it is used as a "Congratulations - no chemo for you" slant.

Rejoin in your high score and that fact that chemotherapy will be highly effective for you.  There is a truth in the saying "it is better to find an aggressive cancer early than a slow grower later" because there is a much better chance of NED after treatment.

Hi Renae,

Do you know your scores yet ?

I am similar to your diagnosis profile, and I feel EXACTLY THE WAY YOU DO, you are not warped in your thinking.   I had multifocal areas in my right breast, up to 1.5 cm, nothing in the left breat.  I chose a bilateral mastectomy on Dec 8, 2011 with immediate reconstruction.  Currently I have tissue expanders and swap to silicone gel in a few months.  I had the Oncotype labs done, with results of 18, 28, which places me in the "grey area".  My first appt with my Oncologist is Jan 26, which is a long way away, as far as I'm concerned.  So I hear you when you have all those feelings regarding what will he say, will I need Chemo, I don't want to go through all the SE of Chemo, but then I want to do everything I can to hopefully not always be worrying myself to death.  I work full time but have been off due to the surgery, and I am thinking of returning sooner due to the fact I may need to take more time off for Chemo.  I have a million questions that only the Dr can answer. Maybe since I'm in grey zone, the Chemo won't be as aggressive or many SE?

Krystal

Thanks KrystalRose,

And I'm so sorry to hear about your similar dilemma.  I won't know my scores for a few weeks, the Oncotype test was just ordered.  Hopefully my insurance will approve it.  If not, I'm going for the chemo.  Already getting my brain around it and mentally preparing.  I wonder if since I am a 95% ER+ and PR+ if the numbers for the Oncotype will be low...which will really throw me off.  Thanks for the link.  Do you know if there is a way to receive posts via email since I don't get on here too often?  Sorry it took so long to reply...thank you.

~Renae~