Ki-67 question-don't know where to post this

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mudd
mudd Member Posts: 94

I just got back my pathology report and it was the same as original biopsy, er+, pr- her2 -,The IDC was 2 cm, 0/2 nodes negative but the Ki-67 had three values, 31.94%, 28.33% and 37.02% labelled unfavorable. I received this after I spoke to the MO and surgeon and both said they were very happy with the results and said the report on a whole was good. waiting for oncotype dx results but was started on letrozole.. What are those Ki-67 results and the word unfavorable has me completely sidelined to the point I can't function Anyone know what this is? Can't call until Monday to find out and going nuts.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2017

    I am wondering if they ran Ki67% on either your tumor, and the removed nodes individually, or three different slides on your tumor. Ki67% has a cutoff that is either high, medium or low, over 20% is considered high, 10-20% medium, less than 10% is low, with a high result meaning that protein given off by dividing cells measures greater than 20%. The "unfavorable" label on your report is reflective of a Ki67% that is a "high" result. What this means in terms of treatment is somewhat varied - some oncologists put stock in Ki67% and others do not. Your OncotypeDx test should be more informative in terms of treatment decisions, and it does factor in Ki67% into the score. Good luck!

  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited November 2017

    Just chiming in to agree with Special K. The Ki-67 is roughly correlated with cell growth and the Oncotype DX test will be a more informative number that includes the Ki-67 plus other genetic tests. My Ki-67 score increased from pre-surgery biopsy to post-surgery pathology, and it bugged the heck out of me since it was the only number that got worse. Typical of me to focus on the negative! But my doctor said the lack of node involvement and the smaller size was much more important so yeah, I agree with your doctors on this being happy news.

  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited November 2017

    Negative nodes -- wonderful news! Mudd, Dear, please try not to worry. That would be your Doctors' job.

    I hope your Letrozole treatment will be as easy as mine has been.

    Here is a good discussion thread on AI treatment experience__

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics/854403?page=1

  • mudd
    mudd Member Posts: 94
    edited November 2017

    Thanks for your help. Does the Ki-67 result being unfavorable increase my chances of receiving a "bad" oncotype dx result? I am 65 and terrified of the possibility of chemotherapy. Starting the Letrozole three days ago and already feel pain in my shin but I'm such a nervous wreck that I don't know what I'm experiencing.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2017

    Ki-67 is one of the proteins that's factored into the Oncotype but it's just one of several. I know it's hard, but try not to sweat it TOO much. I know how awful the waiting can be. :(

    Can you send your MO a message this weekend through a patient portal? Sometimes that can help speed up a call back.


  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited August 2018

    Hi Mudd. Sounds like if you are started on letrozole you are done with surgery, have clean margins and no lymph node involvement, and have already met with a medical oncologist at least once. Do I have that right? The Ki-67 score is roughly correlated with the Oncotype DX score, but please, please try not to worry while you wait for the results. Chemotherapy will be a choice you can make once you have all the facts; it is not something you will be forced to do. So far you have received mostly good news!

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2017

    My ki-67 was high at 22%. My oncotype was low. I asked my onc about it. She said she doesn't put much faith in the ki-67 and doesn't really use it.

    One step at a time.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2017

    The Ki-67 is used a LOT as a marker in research - you'll see references to it in many studies. The problem is that it's difficult to know what standards different labs are using, so many MOs think of it as unreliable. As a rough measure of the growth rate, however, it's a pretty good ballpark indicator.

    But as far as Oncotype goes, it is just one of several proteins factored in. It's pretty difficult (impossible) to guess one's Oncotype in advance so it's best to just take some deep breaths and try not to worry too much.

  • Meshell5324
    Meshell5324 Member Posts: 54
    edited November 2017

    Hi my Ki-67 was 25% and my mammoprint came back low risk - chemotherapy was not recommended. Good luck!

  • myyoga4me
    myyoga4me Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2018

    My Ki-67 came in post-lumpectomy patholoigy report - 56.8%. After research and speaking with surgeon, Ki-67 is correlated somewhat with oncotype dx. IF one or the other (Ki-67 or oncotype dx) is "high" (greater than 25), there is a greater than 90% chance that the other will be high, too. My oncotype dx was requested on thursday 8/2/18 and am now waiting 2 weeks for results. I am preparing myself to have to do chemo. 56.8% is a pretty damn high Ki-67. The high Ki-67 puts in the Luminal B category, which has 7 to 9 % improved overall survival rates with BOTH endocrine therapy and chemotherapy.

  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited August 2018

    Thanks for posting, and for updating the thread. Fingers crossed for you.

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