Make sure you understand the risks associated with various treatments. I was told no permanent effects from AI drugs. That turned out not to be true. Also chemo was down played. I did not have to have radiation because I did a mastectomy.

Remember they are quoting standard of care, they want to focus of killing and keeping cancer away. But you are the one who decides. They pressed me to do chemo since my oncodx was 34. I didn't do it and I am glad I didn't. I did the AI drugs thinking it won't effect my overall health, well it did. Not sure what I would have done if I turned back the clock.

Anyway I am over 6 years out no cancer, I have ringing in my ear and some arthritis. I feel so much older, befor my tx I didn't have any aches or pains.

Read through the treads and ask questions. Remember there is a standard but you will find treatmemt varies. Choose what you think is right.

Hi Rav. I'm 59 and in a similar situation to you. The Oncotype DX test is an important piece of the puzzle in treatment planning, but so are tumor size, surgical margins, lymph node involvement, age, etc. In my case I ended up with an Oncotype DX score of 18, and happily chose no chemo. My MO and RO were pretty much on the "no chemo" side even before the test results came in, so it sounds like you can try to relax right now and hope for the best. I know that is hard! But think positive thoughts and feel free to ask additional questions here.

BTW, I actually had two tumors quite near each other because of the "mixed histology" of ILC as well as IDC. Still both of the MOs I consulted were comfortable with no chemo.

It is true, Rav. I agree with your onc that your chance of your Oncotype indicating the need for chemo is low. ILC usually gets a low or intermediate Oncotype score. If you look at your pathology report, and it has both high ER and high PR, along with Her2 negative, those are good indications that Oncotype will not be high. Also, grade 2 is better than grade 3. (IF they had told you it was pleomorphic ILC, which is less common, then there might be more concern.)

Your Oncotype score (recurrence risk) will assume that you will be taking the anti-estrogen pills (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). Not taking them would mean a higher risk of recurrence. Ask your onc what the risk vs. benefit would be for you personally. You will read of people who have a difficult time with these pills, but please realize that there are many women who are doing fine, and they are less likely to post, because things are going well. You can give the pills a try and see how you feel.

Waiting for test results is awful. My advice is be kind to yourself and find some distraction.

If you want to read some research to support my comments, here are a couple links:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tbj.124...

It takes about two weeks from the time the company receives the tissue for the doctor to get results, according to the Genomic Health (Oncotype company) web site. I think your doctor is just being honest to say he/she can't tell you for sure until the results come back, but he/she thinks chances are your score will not be high enough for chemo.

Yeah...the KI is hotly debated. Not sure how much faith anyone has in it. <?>

I think my Oncotype also took right about 2 weeks. You're almost there!

Hi Rav2017,

My pathology did not have a KI score on it. My Oncotype came back as a 9. It took almost a full two weeks for the results to come back. The waiting, as always, stinks. It's worth the wait.

I was also highly ER and PR. They can never say never, until that report comes back. My BS just kept saying with any luck it will come back low and you will only need hormonal therapy.

I would try to stop rereading and googling and finding distraction for the next week because the Oncotype really will help determine your course. 

The idea of "throwing everything you can at the cancer" is outmoded these days, because Oncotype not only tells you whether chemo is needed but if it would be helpful at all.

ki67% is used in the Oncotype but is only one of several (I forget, 5?) proliferative factors included.

Rav, congrats! That is low so great! I had a hard time waiting too, but I am glad I did it and got a low score. I was afraid that if I didn't have it, I would have always wondered and worried. Tell yourself it is gone for good! Have a Merry Christmas!

I hope we see some others soon, but it is a busy time of the year.