High Oncotype- what to expect??

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rrefresca
rrefresca Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Just got a call that my oncotype dx came back high. Have to go in and discuss with my med. oncologist. I may be jumping the gun asking questions here, but I'm going crazy waiting.. Anyone with a high oncotype NOT recommended for chemo? Of course, I was really hoping to get off with just radiation and tamoxifen. Any input appreciated!

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited May 2013

    While the bad news is that you received a high OncotypeDX score....the good news is...if you are well...you will then be a candidate for chemotherapy and for patients who have high OncotypeDX scores, they BENEFIT greatly from chemotherapy and can get their risk of recurrence way, way down.  Likewise, the choice is yours whether to do chemo or not.

    I wish you well.

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  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2013

    rrefresca........you didn't say how high your Oncotype DX score was.  I assume you mean the breast score on the left side of the paper.  I will tell you this even though my tumor was barely a Stage I but was a Grade 3.  Onco wanted to send it out to do the Oncotype hoping that I would not have to do Chemo.  WELL.......no such luck.  My score was an unbelievable 100!!!!  That test has haunted me since it was done.  Every onco doc had a different explaination of what to expect for an outcome.  The BS even went so far as to say it only pertained to the breast effected w/ cancer.  I finally decided any test can be off.  Even bloodwork for TMs are not absolute. 

    I can't tell you not to worried b/c there are times I still "obcess" over my score.  But there may be a possibility you may have to do chemo.  Keep us all updated and know that we all will be hoping for the best.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2013

    OMG NormaJean...no offense but I have never seen an Oncotype score that high. You must have totally freaked. People think you will automatically have a low Oncotype score if your cancer is a low stage and grade...you definitely defied that misconception. Has to be the Grade that caused the spike. I am IDC Stage 2, Grade 1 and my score came back@11. I have also seen women with higher stages with lower scores. There is a lady on this forum with a zero score. We all know there are no guarantees but I am still thankful for the test. My treatment was going to be determined by that test. I had 33 RADS treatments. I am sure you do obsess over that score. Was your BS surprised at the score? I know women who would give anything to be Stage 1, Grade 3. Did Genomic Labs, who conducts the test, say why your score was so high? Still you are Stage 1. Diane

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  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2013

    Actually, edwards750, I seriously thought about ending it all.......why wait?  Well, we all have different reasons to go forward and mine is the little boy in my picture.   It was my onco that ordered the test to determine whether or not I would have to do chemo.  No, to my knowledge Genomic made no comments to my onco.  Yes, still was a Stage I at 1.1cm (half being in the duct & the other half "escaping".  I know that it is due to the Grade III but seriously, I am probably the only one in the history of Genomic w/ that score.  I am now in my third year when I am told is when the reocurrance peaks then drops off dramatically.

    Bottom line, I wake up everyday & thank God for another day w/ Jeffrey who is old enough now to remember me and how much I have loved him.  Medically everything has been done by the docs, I did everything never missing an appt. & taking my Tamo faithfully every night and even doing another MX plus hysterectomy.  Now the rest is in God's hands.  He will never let any of us die one minute sooner not one minute later than what is in his plan for our lives. 

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2013

    I love your attitude Norma and the pic of that little angel. That is the sweetest pic. I didnt know that about the 3rd year - good to know. I thank God everyday too because none of us have guarantees no matter what stage or grade we are. Praying for all us. Diane

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2013

    Norma, thanks so much for an inspiring post. I needed that today. Your little boy is so cute. And....I see you're coming up on your three year cancerversary, so happy anniversary early!!!

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  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2013

    Diane and Peggy......my onco doesn't appreciate my attitude so I am glad someone understands.  He views it as not being a fighter....are you kidding me?  I have an appt. on Weds. for my bloodwork & renew my script for the Tamo.  Thank you both for your kind words.  That picture is an older one taken right after the MX w/ my only grandchild who is the love of my life.  I am 5'4" and he now comes up to my chin @ 8 1/2 y/o.  My hair is constantly changing and after all this time it is now dark w/ only a few white ones sprinkled in.  Amazing.  Guess it just goes to show none of us should give up hope. Smile 

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