onco score 18, do I do radiation and HT?

jabal · January 2013

My onco score came back at 18 and my oncologist said no chemo but needed rads and HT. I am afraid of them both and have taken an alternative approach through tons of research. Now that I have my score and the fear of chemo is gone I am considering rads and HT. I go back and forth back and forth....I need to decide. Any thoughts?

donster · January 2013

Hi Jabal,

My Oncotype was also an 18, putting me in the gray area. My Sentinel Node came back positive, so my Onc. thought it best to hedge our bets and do both chemo and radiation to cover all the bases. The HT will kick in at the end too. I think it was a good decision for me to attack this head on, although the side effects from chemo have been unpleasant. I keep telling myself that side effects are temporary and the cure is for a lifetime. I wish you all the best.

Lee7 · January 2013

jabal,

I have a similar dx, my Onco was 20 and I declined chemo. I had a lumpectomy, so I did end up doing the rads and now I am on the AI (arimidex). My thoughts: Since you didn't do chemo and are ER+, the HT (either tamoxifen or an AI) would be important to try. It has its SE's but I've been able to tolerate it.

jabal · January 2013

thank you for your reply. i guess it is just a personal decision. i see radiology next week to discuss rads. blessings to all of us here

lekker · January 2013

Please keep in mind that your OncotypeDX score and its associated risk of recurrence is based on the assumption you will complete rads and 5 years of tamoxifen. If you refuse either or both, your Oncotype score is all but meaningless. Your oncologist should be able to help you figure out your risk without rads/AIs and then you can make an informed decision about the best path forward for you.

onco score 18, do I do radiation and HT?

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