Very High Oncotype thinking no tamoxifen though?

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rsnews
rsnews Member Posts: 4
edited January 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After


Hi, oncotype is 47.  I have yet to see someone with that high of a score on here. Stage 1, Grade 3 IDC, had BMX, no nodes, clean margins.  Did AC and Taxol.  Just finished.  Thinking I may not do tamoxifen as I am ER+ but weakly, only 5%, PR- and HER-.   I feel like I am borderline Triple negative.  My oncologist says being ER+ is being positive.  It's like being a little bit pregnant, either you are or you aren't.  I just don't know what to do.  I don't want to take something that may give me cancer, just having been treated for it

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited January 2015

    You can always try the med & then stop should side effects or other concerns arise. You'd want to maximize the estrogen receptor blockage on those few cells that could otherwise develop and continue to multiply. With a high Oncotype score, anything that might help delay or prevent recurrence should be under consideration.

    Tamoxifen may slightly increase your risk of uterine/endometrial cancer but, if it does occur, surgery is very effective in eliminating it. Also, you'll be watching for any unusual bleeding, etc so would catch it early. Perhaps a 2nd opinion from another oncologist could help in making your decision.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2015

    Well, chemo certainly carries risks of leukemia and other serious long-term damage and you were willing to do that. Tamoxifen has a very strong track record so, even though you are not strongly ER+ it's well worth your consideration.

    I agree, though with VLN - a second opinion might help.

    These decisions are tough and I wish you the best with yours.

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