Less than 1 cm tumors and oncotypeDX

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bluepearl
bluepearl Member Posts: 961
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Just wondering if size is also considered as well as oncotype. I didn't get the oncotypeDX with my small .8mm grade 3 tumor, nor was recommended chemo. All other factors were good except the grade.

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited September 2013

    I believe the NCCN guidelines now suggest a cutoff at .5 cm if you meet certain criteria (eg hormone receptors, nodes, etc) but those are the 2013 guidelines. I'm not sure if they have changed or not. My largest tumour was .7 cm, and my MO said he was fine not sending, but would if I wanted to. I did, so I'm now waiting for results.



    I'm not sure how closely then NCCN guidelines are followed in Canada (I'm in Ontario).



    A few years ago, when oncotype wasn't being done, my friend was told she would be doing chemo based on the size of her tumor - at least that seemed to be the key factor - her tumor was over 1 cm.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited September 2013

    I am in B,C, and the oncotyype test only became available with a $4000 price tag (I would have paid). Grade 1 can have a high oncotype and grade 3 can have low...really strange, but it happens. My first was a 1 cm grade 1.....2011 didn't even know what an oncotype DX was when I asked. Glad you are getting it and let me know what your oncologist suggests. It's a bit late for me (I have had mastectomies) but am running with the small tumors, clean nodes, hormone + and her2 negative stats.....thanks for you input.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited September 2013

    What does the oncotype tell you?  It wasn't even mentioned to me and hadn't even heard of it until I saw this web site.

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

    Dogs, the test is all about whether one would benefit from chemo or not. In my case it actually indicated that my life expectancy would, statistically, be lower with chemo than without it. So, it is an extremely important test for those contemplating chemo.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited September 2013

    Thanks Yorkiemom --glad you didn't need it!

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited September 2013

    I knew about it because my mom had it, but my doc doesn't offer it for tumors under 5mm (which mine was).   She mentioned it in passing, but had I not already known what it was, I might not have noticed, LOL.

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

    My MO said that both the size and the grade are considered as part of the Oncotype Calculation. 

    Here are their guidelines.

    http://breast-cancer.oncotypedx.com/en-US/Professional-Invasive/WhatIsTheOncotypeDXBreastCancerTest/WhichPatients.aspx

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  • julieped
    julieped Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2013

    I met with my oncologist for the first time today.  I have decided to have the oncotype dx.  The results will be back in 10-14 days.  More waiting.  I pray for a low score. 

    Any other thoughts on the oncotype dx test?

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited October 2013

    Biology trumps staging...it's your life go for it. I guess the exception would be a low KI 67 and high Er...perhaps on a small tumor the oncotype would be unneeded since those characteristics are associated with low to intermediate oncotype.

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