To Chemo or Not (ki 67 = 43)

Hi Ever45. I'm sorry you are here. While I can't comment on the specifics of ILC because I had IDC, I wanted to acknowledge your post. It's a holiday in the U.S. and the boards can be pretty quiet. 

I did want to say that I had 4 cycles of TC. I had Triple Negative (so chemo was a must for me). My Ki-67 score was 76%. Perhaps a second opinion to help you decide?

Best of luck.

hi ever45 - What are your hormone receptors ex: ER, PR, Her2. If ER PR pos, Her2 neg  typically your doctor would have ordered the oncotype dx test.  I am not very well versed on the other types but there is a triple neg thread and her2 positive thread and I know the ladies can be of assistance.

Ever46- I'm sorry you find yourself in this position. My ILC was also pleomorphic. There was no ki-67 noted on my pathology report but I did have an oncotype test. Even though that score came back low risk for recurrence 3 medical oncologists (MO), 2 at NCI designated BC centers, recommended chemo for me. Their decision was based on the pleomorphic subtype, my 2 large positive nodes and age, 48 at that time. There are many variables that make the right choice different for different woman. If you can get a second opinion it might help with your decision. An oncoitype test would add additional information. In general tumors with high Ki-67 and grade 3 respond better to chemo then lower grades or Ki-67. You may want to plug the stats of your tumor into cancermath,com under BC treatment. Its most important that you're at peace with your decision.

I have IDC, and I am Her2+. Like you, I really questioned how necessary chemo was and almost didn't do it. I've now completed 3 out of 6 rounds of TCH and its not all that bad. I think I would have more regrets and worry about recurrance if I didn't do it. 

There is a decision making process you go through and acknowledging that it is YOUR choice is an important part of the process.  I have one bad week every round. (Bad not horrible) I spend most of that week saying "I'M NOT DOING THIS AGAIN!" Yet I chose to keep going back, because I want to reduce the risk of recurrance. After each round you'll meet with your MO to discuss the severity of your side effects and the possible need for reducing the amount of chemo.Before that appointment I tell myself I should convince him my se's were so bad I need the chemo reduced, yet when I get to the appoinment I find myself saying "It was ok, lets do the full dose again." I don't know that the dosage is my decision, but its nice that he lets me think I have a choice. For me, self preservation keeps winning out over the fear & discomfort of chemo, but knowing I could stop if I wanted to makes it easier for me to keep going.

Good luck with your decision

Hey darling! sorry for your diagnoses i was diagnosed resently as well. just got hold of this beautifull community wich i believe will be of grate healp for years to come. look at my signature and my age 36 all was screaming for chemo and lots of it exept the doctors thay sayed NO i had a choice i went with tnem. scary i feel i might not have done enough. we just dont know. people do have reoccurance who had and did not have chemo. wno had and did not have nodes involved. good luck and luck you need!

From their site:

 The Oncotype DX gene expression assay is intended to be used by women with early-stage (stage I or II), node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) invasive breast cancer who will be treated with therapy. Learn more about the Oncotype DX breast cancer test.