Ki67 results

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My2-Girls
My2-Girls Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

I've read some comments that people with ki67 results that are a high number, have a better response to chemo.  I am confused for a change. My daughter had a low response to her ki67 test. The result was reported as "<10 favorable". We know she will need chemotherapy because of her young age and because of nodal involvement. So is this favorable result actually not favorable because it means she will not respond to chemo as well? Thanks in advance for your response.

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  • luckypenny
    luckypenny Member Posts: 150
    edited February 2014

    I have  heard that.   I had a low ki67 number - 7 actually.   But had nodes positive and large tumor.  My onc says its just one factor and that it means that the cells were dividing slower.  I was also told that a higher ki67 was associated with potential worse outcome.   BUt, honestly, I dont' believe in one factor as a determinent as prognosis.    I believe I responded to chemo well and I am over 2 years out-- 

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited February 2014

    Chemo works on fast growing cells much better than slow growing ones. It IS just one factor to consider. There are many different genes involved in tumors...as evidenced by OncotypeDX where people with grade 3 do not need chemo while people with grade 1 do. Your daughter's cancer was sneaky enough to find her nodes. Chemo still works and will work, as well as whatever other therapy she may need (if hormone+, tamoxifen....if lumpectomy...radiation)


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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited February 2014

    HI my2girls - what ki67 measures is the rate of cell division, a low score means the cancer cells are dividing slowly - this is of course very good. Chemotherapy attacks quickly dividing cells, and cancer cells are quick dividers (even those that have a low ki67 score) comparatively with most other cells in the body. The reason we lose our hair during chemo is because hair cells are quick dividers. So having a low ki67 score is a mixed bag (personally I would rather have a slowly dividing cancer as there ware less cells to deal with), it does NOT mean that chemo won't work - just that it works particularly well on the fast dividers. The other thing that is really some labs don't even do ki67 because (presumably) it is not all that predictive, your daughter may respond very well to chemo. 

    It has to be very hard to have a child going through this, but such a blessing for your daughter to have you. Having people around us who are supportive and willing to just listen is so important. I am glad that you are there for her. There is a thread for caregivers and I imagine that it might be very helpful to you, I  think sometimes that the caregivers need as much support as the person who is going through treatment. Many hugs, and best wishes to your daughter. You might want to tell her about this site - it's I think especially helpful as one goes through chemo.  

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  • My2-Girls
    My2-Girls Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2014

    Thanks so much ladies. It's comforting to know that you are out there to answer questions for me. I don't ask my daughter because I am trying to stay very upbeat and positive for her and that is not my usual modus operandi. I scare easily. Ziggy, I will look for the caregivers forum. Thank you.

    My daughter had a bilateral MX last Friday, with reconstruction (tissue ex). She is doing well. Pathology is not back yet although we know she has some nodes affected. Her sister, our younger daughter is having a bilateral mastectomy this coming Tuesday. They are BRCA negative, but we do have a family history.

    Thanks again for your kindness in answering my question with such great explanations.

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited February 2014

    y2-girls, 

    Please tell your daughter that we would love to hear from her. Don't think that you always have to be upbeat and positive; I think most of us would say that the most important thing that we could 'get' from anybody is just that they would be willing to listen & sometimes that means understanding our negativity - sometimes it's hard for us when we're sick and scared and the people we love are all 'happy'. This is NOT a criticism - clearly you are a great mom who loves her daughter (s).  

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