llB, node negative, er+ pr+, Hertu - oncogene 10 and no chemo?

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lorettaloretta
lorettaloretta Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

My onc says no chemo but I see many peeps here w/ better dx's getting chemo, whatsup w/ that?

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited July 2013

    HI Loretta, I have a similar diagnosis to you. I have Oncotype 11. I saw 3 Oncologists for opinions as I wanted to ensure given I was young I had all the options presented. Two oncologists opined, they were felt I'd be fine without chemo, one stated I should definately have it due to my young age at diagnosis.  I opted for no chemo. My lymph nodes were clear and I did not have vascular invasion. Given this, I went with lumpectomy, rads, tamox/aromisin.  I'm hitting 3 years out now.  I'm glad I sought different opinions and I had the choice to choose what was best vs someone stating you could or could not have xyz treatment. Get a few opinions and make sure all doctors are on the same page.

    Good luck to you.

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

    Loretta... I am not sure whom you are referring to when you say that you have noticed some people here who have "better dx's" getting chemo. No two people are alike so it is difficult to make apples to apples comparisons. That said, while you have a Stage IIB tumor, it has very favorable characteristics. Furthermore, your Oncotype DX score indicates a small chance of recurrence and that the risks of chemo outweigh the benefits. The Oncotype DX genetic test was developed because physicians and researchers knew that many patients were being over treated with chemo. But they didn't know exactly who was over treated. Tests like the Oncotype DX test were developed so more patients could be spared the risks that accompany chemo while offering little or no benefit.



    I suggest that you get a second or even third opinion so you will be more comfortable moving forward. Good luck!

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  • lorettaloretta
    lorettaloretta Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    Thanks for responding, I am comfortable (I think) and I believe that some people opt for chemo despite the oncologists explainations and graphs. I am a nurse in ICU and have witnessed SEs of chemotherapy

    I jumped at the option to not take it. I hope you continue on to old age being cancer free !



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  • wenweb
    wenweb Member Posts: 1,107
    edited July 2013

    Loretta,  I agree with what bevin and voracious said.  My oncotype DX score was 14, with no chemo.  The score you get takes into consideration that you will be taking hormonal therapy.  Good-luck!! 

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  • Sandystrength
    Sandystrength Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2013

    Hi ladies, I am looking for some advice. I am 31 and recently diagnosed with IDC 1.3 cm (50% DCIS) with 95% hormone positive ER and PR both. I am HER2 neg and my nodes were negative also. The doctor said it is stage 1a. I had a bilateral mastectomy about 3 weeks ago and my oncotype score is 16. I am married without children, but we would love a family one day. I plan on taking tamoxifen but not sure about chemo. Any suggestions? Thank you

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2013

    Sandystrength, do you know what grade your tumor was? If it was high grade, i.e. 3, I would think that, considering your very young age, chemo might, unfortunately, be recommended. 

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  • Sandystrength
    Sandystrength Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2013

    It is grade 2 I believe. Thank you

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  • Lav
    Lav Member Posts: 65
    edited September 2013

    Sandystrength I just got my Onco result today and its 13 im Grade 2 stage1 er,pr + her2 negative and no lypmh nodes were infected either. It indicates in my report that with tamoxifen my chances of a reccurence go down to 8. So in d end u have to see what your Oncologist suggests to you. I dont know if after going thru chemo how that would affect with you wanting to have children later on .. Maybe some of the others could help you out with that. I totally understandhow you feel but go with what your hezrt and inner voice says in d end. Being positive about your choice and being in a positive state of mind is very impt inthe healing process.... Hugs n good luck...

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  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 741
    edited September 2013

    Hi,

    I am 44 with stage 1 IDC grade 2. ER PR positive and Her2 negative- My Oncho score was an 18 - My reaccurance rate with doing nothing was 11 percent- I add tamixifen and it goes down to 6 percent and with chemo it would go down to 3 percent. My onc didnt feel the benifits of chemo would be better than the risks at 3 percent.

    I suggest you go see you onc and ask him what he/she recommends for you.

    Best of Luck

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited September 2013

    I am somewhat relieved to see a grade 3 tumor with low oncotypeDX...which they wouldn't give me for some reason....oncologist said I would derive very little benefit from chemo, that it would be just "too much". Perhaps it was its size (.8mm). I don't know if the oncotype also reflects size simnce one could have an oncotype of 30 with a .5mm tumor or a 5cm tumor, yet the .5 would have a lower recurrence rate....I think.....

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited September 2013

    I skipped the oncotype and went directly to chemo because the oncotype is based on studies of all post menopausal women and though they think premenopausal women will respond the same, there aren't long term studies yet.  I wanted to do everythign I could with no regrets and my MO agreed.  This is a very, very personal decision however, with no right or wrong answers.

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  • Nan54
    Nan54 Member Posts: 93
    edited October 2013


    There were premenopausal women in the studies done to validate Oncotype DX too (not just post menopausal).

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