58 y/o, Oncotype Score of 20, No Chemo

Hello,

My score belive it or not was 61, due to grade 3 and genetics of the tumor. I was a bit in shock to say the least. I am going to chemo Dr. tommorrow to see what he has in store for me. I initally was only going to get radiation according the doctor, but it all changed once the score came back. I was praying I wouldn't have to have chemo but its not in the cards for me. I have to accept each step as it comes. I never know what is going to happen is the conclusion I am coming to. Everything changes. Years ago the doctors would not suggest chemo for a small tumor. But now it is all changing. I look at as a extra insurance policy for myself for the future. I hope it works. I have only seen one or two other people with a high score?

I opted out of chemo, with even a little bit of cancer in my lymph node (1) with micrometatsis...oncotype was 10 --my age is 47 and I am premenopausal.

I was diagnoised last December as well with stage 11 breast cancer, grade 2, no lodes involved, ER+/PR+, HER2- and had the Oncotype test done.  My score was 19 and I decided with the help of my doctor to go straight to radiation and slip the chemo.  I have 5 more radiation treatments and then will start the Arimdex medication.  I sometimes worry if I made the right decision but I have to go forward now.  I dreaded taking chemo, was scared of the effects of such a strong drug at my age of 64.  I will do my best to keep healthy, have all my check ups and then leave it in God's hands from there. I understand how you feel and hope my note has helped a little.  Good Luck, Shirlee

I'm 47. Diagnosed with IDC stage 1, with no node involvement. My Oncatype score was 20 and my onc recommended chemo. I'm halfway done with my four rounds. Deciding factor was my age. I have a 13 year old and 11 year old daughter and I felt like I had to do everything possible to prevent recurrence. Such a personal decision - the main thing is to make your decision and go with it without looking back! Good luck to you!

The Onco score comes from a test that has to be ordered by your doctor. my score was 16 and I did not do chemo. I am on Tamx and 15 months into it. So far so good, fingers crossed.

I should have added that even though my oncotype score was 28 the report very clearly said I would not benefit from chemotherapy. As my doctor explained it to me, the mitosis rate was very low and chemo does not work well on sluggishly dividing cells. So the "number" is not the be all - end all. There is still a lot of nuancing going on and you have to listen to your docotors' advice.

I always wonder if the % of mets may drop for specific RS. For example is a 22 still 14%, or will new research say it's actually 12 or 10%

We can hope.

Just got a copy of my results today.  I scored a 27, recurrance rate of 18%  I met with my surgeon who thought I will probably need chemo  Had my lumpectomy 3/12/12, Stage 1, two tumors, 1.5 cm and .5 cm. I thought for sure would just need rads.  I meet with my MO on Monday.  I am very nervous about the whole chemo thing.  

Susanes,



I had to look back to find what form it was printed on. On my first post op visit with my surgeon he gave me a copy of his operative report and the final surgical pathology report. On page 1 of 4 toward the bottom the Nottingham Histologic Grade is listed. There are three parts; tubule formation, nuclear grade and mitosis. The combination of these three scores determines the "grade" of your cancer. Mitosis indicates cell growth which in my case was 1/3, in other words sluggish. Chemotherapy works best on actively dividing cells, I was told.



Pam

I am 53 years old i have stage 1 grade 2 . Had a lumpectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed. Nodes were negative as were my margins. My estrogen and progesterine receptors are at 99%. I am her 2 negative. How could my oncotype test score be @ 22 . I am very confused. Has anyone with these exact numbers had chemo? I donot know wheather to do it or not. Any feedback would be great

I find it interesting that so many of us have similar stats yet have been advised differently or left alone to make a dicision. In my case, my doc said the benifits would not be worth the risks, so I am doing only radiation. Other health issues now have me questioning whether or not the 5 years of meds are worth the risk. I will have to have that discussion with him next week. I really think much of our treatments depend on the views of the doctors and that is not always good if they are not open to other schools of thought, do not keep up on new techniques, or have an agenda they are pushing.

mini1 I ended up opting out of chemo after my first dose because the SE's were really extreme. My Onc. said no more, but that was my new one fired the first. My 2nd said he would never have even suggested chemo in the first place.

kjiberty - You are right about that. I've learned a lot here. We must be our own advocates and not just blindly follow the flock. There are so many areas that we need to be educated about. A very good book to read about how different doctors approach things and the things they do (not always good) is: The Harm We Do. It is written by Dr. Otis Webb Brawley. He is the Chief Medical Officer of the American Cancer Society and a VP of something there. It was very eye opening. If I lived in Atlanta, he would be my Onco doc, for sure.

Lee7 - It was a real eye opener for me. What's good about his book is that he is not anti-conventional medicine or only an all holistic proponant. He is an active, knowledgable oncologist that knows his stuff. And if you think navigating your way through BC is hard, be glad you're not a man with prostate cancer. It's even more disconcerting.