Oncotype & how it's used?

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MamaM
MamaM Member Posts: 80
edited January 2015 in Stage II Breast Cancer

My BS isn't very talkative so most of what I am learning is from this site. So thankful for all of you. No had a low (6) Oncotype score & I am trying hard to be happy with this but days later, I am still afraid of this. I made another Oncologist appt to get another opinion but are most of you with lower scores opting out of chemo??? Could my Oncotype also be wrong because my tumor was 3 cm & it came back as a 6. Can a stage 1 & stage 2 be the same Oncotype level & is that just because of the makeup of the tumor???? Like I said, my dr is one that doesn't give you a lot of time & always straight to the facts. I need to find that little but of peace if having a 6 is truly a good thing???

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  • Professor50
    Professor50 Member Posts: 220
    edited January 2015

    Hi MamaDarrling, It is natural to be worried and to want to do all that you can to prevent a recurrence. Here's the thing, though. Your oncotype score tells you two things. First, your risk of recurrence is very low (if you take tamoxifen) and second, chemotherapy is unlikely to reduce that risk any further. The oncotype is unrelated to the size of the tumor or its stage. It is based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor itself. Keeping in mind that chemo comes with its own risks, the oncotype score is useful because it helps to tell whether the benefits of chemo indeed out weigh the risks of chemo. Having that score come back 6 is a good thing because it gives you information about what treatment is likely to be most effective for you.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited January 2015

    Genomic Health, the maker of the oncotype dx test, has some good info on their website.


    http://www.genomichealth.com/en-US/OncotypeDX.aspx...






  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited January 2015

    Yes! A score of 6 is a really good thing! I came in as a 10, so no chemo for me. I was told by several docs that chemo would not have worked for me. I feel very fortunate in not having to go through that treatment. Chemo is really just meant for aggressive tumors. The Oncoytype determines the molecular characteristics of your particular tumor. I think the Oncotype test is a highly respected tool in just about any doc's arsenal of weaponry in the war against bc these days. They are finding more good news about the test all the time. I think they are even using it to determine whether or not radiation will be effective for some types of cancers.

    If your MO isn't communicative, maybe his nurse is willing to help you understand more. Yes, a second opinion (or more) is always a good thing. You should feel comfortable with your team - they are working for you. I'm the type who wants to know everything, so I always ask lots of questions and quite honestly, it's usually the nurse that I spend more time with and who is the most helpful. But if your team isn't willing to help you understand the "whys" of your treatment, it might be time to shop around.

    Good luck!! :)

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2015

    It is true a few years ago a 3 cm tumor would have gotten chemo regardless of the oncotype. So I can see why you would have some jitters, and I guess there might be an onc out there who would give you chemo. Heck it wasn't so long ago anything over 1cm typically got chemo in the US, 2 CM in europe.

    The other thing is that there are probably a relatively limited number of people out there who had 3CM tumors and no chemo, though there are more every day.

    If I were you I would really ignore anything like lifemath that is based on tumor size.

    Also not so long ago I felt like the only person on BCO who was node positive and didn't do chemo, now it doesn't raise an eyebrow.

    So be proud.

    A. you found an oncologist who did not over treat you

    B. you are in the vanguard



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