To stop or not to stop my chemotherapy?

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mmf
mmf Member Posts: 1
edited August 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi! I'm 41 years old woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a surgery (lumpectomy on the left breast), tumor is 1.9 cm, grade 2, ER+, PR+, HER2-, margins were clear, lymph nodes were clear (0/4).

The oncologist recommended chemotherapy, so I have done one round of chemo already and I am supposed to go for next round on Friday. A few weeks ago, I learnt about the Oncotype DX genomic test. I live in a country in Europe where this test is normally NOT in use and is NOT recognized by doctors for making treatment decisions. But I managed to order it anyway and I just got the result. My Recurrence Score is 14. I wonder if it makes much sense to continue chemo or if I could actually stop it and immediately move to the next stage (radiotherapy and then tamoxifen).

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2017

    Hi mmf,

    We just wanted to stop by to say hi and welcome to our Community. We hate that you have to be here, but we're really glad you found us. You're sure to find our Community a wonderful resource for answers, advice, and support as you navigate your treatment journey.

    We're sure someone will be by shortly to weigh in with their thoughts. In the meantime, you may be interested in this page from the main Breastcancer.org site: Oncotype DX.

    We look forward to hearing more from you soon!

    --The Mods

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  • Jackster51
    Jackster51 Member Posts: 357
    edited August 2017

    That's a tough spot to be in, but I would tend to agree with Busom and no chemo.

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  • Wildplaces
    Wildplaces Member Posts: 864
    edited August 2017

    The simple straightforward answer is that posted and is a number game.

    The more complex answer involves

    - a good look at why Grade 2 - what was higher ? - nuclei, tubules, mitochondrial count

    - I know you said no lymph nodes, assuming path also reported no lymphovascular invasion.

    - how much do you trust the people who did your Oncotype test

    - what chemotherapy have you been recommended

    - do you have a family history? I note you are 41.

    - you are ER positive - good in many ways - but the disease burden that is more spread out

    I would find an oncologist you can talk to - just because the test is not routinely available in your country it does not mean they don't know about it.

    😊


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