Oncotype Test Score of 5

I agree with mustlovepoodles. Chemo would be inappropriate for you. Look at my signature. I didn't have chemo.

Before we found out my second tumor was HER2+, I had an oncotype test done with the biopsy tissue of the larger tumor. It was a 20 and my MO recommended no chemo based on that... said the statistical decrease in recurrence would be minimal and wouldn't be worth the side effects. With ER+/PR+ cancers, the larger benefit is from the hormonal therapy.

It certainly is Dianarose. My onc has said all all along not to put too much faith in one number. Sorry about the mets. Thanks for your post.

I wasn't offended happy you got a score of 5. But I do envy your score mine was 34. It has been 5 years NED and I didn't do the recommended chemo just AI.

I have to laugh because it does feel like a failed test grade, its just a number.

Dianarose, you say you had a 6 but your signature line says you had bilateral cancer. Did you get the other side tested?

SummerAngel- they did the test after I had a lumpectomy (second round) at which Tim I had 4 positive nodes which still fit in the guidelines. Came back a 6 foe effective on chemo and an 8 for recurrence. Then I did the mastectomy because they did not get clean margins. The rest went downhill from there. This is my third round and I had a surgeon go in my tummy to get samples of cancerous tissue to do the chemo sensitivity test so we know which chemos will work and which ones won't

Ruby, I have a saying that the live by: Ya can't cry all the time. Laughter is medicine. the day I can't appreciate a little twisted humor is a dark day indeed.

summer angel- I think they keep learning new things all the time. I agree if chemo is not going to benefit you don't put your body through it. I have been doing chemo since beginning of November and I am so tired of it. I know how it is going to make me feel even what day. Not fun. I wish you all the best and hope you stay cancer free always

Hi Kimhf:

No, Oncotype Recurrence Score cannot be predicted with accuracy based on stage information.

The Recurrence Score reflects aspects of tumor biology. It is calculated from the mRNA levels (which reflects expression or how actively the genes are being used) of 16 cancer-related genes in a tumor sample (and 5 control genes).

By the way, you should get complete copies of your pathology reports from all surgeries and biopsies.

From another post, you have both DCIS and "Stage I" invasive breast cancer.

DCIS is "non-invasive" by the pathologist's assessment, meaning it appears to be confined to the inside of the ducts. Therefore, its shape follows the branching pattern of the ducts it is located in.

In contrast, any invasive or infiltrating breast cancer (microinvasive or larger) is deemed "invasive" by the pathologist, because it has broken through the wall of the duct to "invade" and grow in the tissue surrounding the duct. The invasive breast cancer forms a "tumor" or ball of cells. Sometimes, there is more than one invasive tumor.

You need to obtain copies of the pathology reports from all surgeries and biopsies to confirm and understand your diagnosis.

Your pathology reports should list the features of the DCIS and invasive breast cancer separately.

DCIS: The pathologist typically reports the extent or size of the DCIS in largest dimension; grade; estrogen receptor ("ER") status; progesterone receptor ("PR") status; and surgical margins (smallest distance from DCIS to edge of tissue removed).

Invasive Breast Cancer: The pathologist typically reports the histology (e.g., ductal, lobular, other); invasive tumor size; lymph node status; ER status, PR status, and HER2 status. Additional features that may affect treatment advice include grade and lymphovascular invasion. Sometimes, additional markers, such as Ki-67 protein may be reported. The surgical margins for the invasive disease should be separately reported.

OncotypeDX test for invasive disease: This test is used for certain cases of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive breast cancer, and assumes receipt of endocrine therapy. Typically (though not always) the test is used when the Tumor is greater than 0.5 cm in largest dimension. The test is most common in node-negative disease, but is sometimes considered in patients with 1 to 3 positive nodes. It is used in those for whom chemotherapy would otherwise be considered or recommended under guidelines, based on standard clinical (e.g., age and co-morbidities) and pathologic criteria (e.g., histology, invasive tumor size, nodal status, ER, PR and HER2 status). The results are used to help decide whether a patient should receive a recommendation for chemotherapy plus endocrine (anti-hormonal) therapy OR endocrine therapy alone. The use and interpretation of the test results is within the area of expertise of Medical Oncologists.

BarredOwl