How soon is chemo started if my Oncotype score dx is high?

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Kagima3
Kagima3 Member Posts: 4
edited May 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi everyone,

I was dx March 1 with IDC and had a bilateral mastectomy on April 24 with TE placement. My tumor was 1cm, SN negative, ER +, PR +, Her 2 neu negative. I am 47 years old pre menopausal. BRCA 1 and 2 negative although there is a strong history of breast cancer in my family. My sister is a 10+ year survivor stage 3b. She had 3 primary tumors with 17 of 40 nodes positive, she had a mastectomy and chemo but no radiation. Her tumor expression was similar to mine. Oncotype dx score was not available at that time.

I met with the oncologist yesterday and we are doing the oncotype dx score. I am just curious if my score come in high, how soon is chemo started? Within a week, 2 weeks, a month? Also is there any additional testing they will do before they start chemo besides lab work?

Sorry to be so long winded. By the way I am an oncology nurse although I haven't worked in 10 years while raising my kids. My son is graduating in 2 weeks and I had planned on going back to work and then this showed up. Also this is not my first bout with cancer. I was dx with papillary thyroid Ca in 2010 and successfully treated.

Last thing, how many of you that are premenopausal have had hysterectomies after being diagnosed?Regardless of my score I plan on having one. I don't want the 3rd time to be the charm. I had a bilateral breast reduction last year because I had dense breasts. The tumor was found on my 1st post reduction mammogram almost 11 months after the reduction. Thanks for reading and any info

Comments

  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited May 2017

    oncodx is done with I believe less than 2 or 3 nodes positive. But your situation sounds like oncodx or mammoprint will be useful.

  • Keepongoing
    Keepongoing Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2017
    In my case , I received my oncotype results December 28, my case was discussed at the tumor board the next week, had chemo port placed January 12 and chemo started January 14. When they decide to do it they move pretty quick. It is ideal to start a certain amount of time post surgery in case any cancer cells got out during surgery. My test results had got delayed somehow due to holidays or something and I was not originally thought to need chemo but my results came back high (31).
  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited May 2017

    I did not have Oncotype: due to the two distinct tumors and sentinel node micromets, chemo was a given. Started early June after initial surgery in late April. ALND was mid-May so had time to heal along with getting port placed.

    When was your BRCA testing done? There are many other possible mutations that could be present. Perhaps another genetic counseling appointment should be pursued.

    Congrats to your sister on her successful experience. Hopefully you are a good support system for each other!

  • rdsm
    rdsm Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2017

    I started chemo very soon after my oncotype score dx. My surgery was April 3 and I started chemo on May 15th. I wasn't expecting to have to do chemo so this really rocked my world. I'm happy to have started so that I can get it over with!

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