oncotype 23, ki67 is 70 want to choose no chemo

Options
1strongdaisy
1strongdaisy Member Posts: 2

am i taking the easy way out? i'm considering bypassing chemo, and just having radiation and tamoxifen.

IDC dx 11/17/18

er+/pr+, her2-, brca-

1/23/18 lumpectomy success, 2.4cm tumor removed, 9 nodes removed. all nodes clear, all margins clear

oncotype score is 23...ki67 is high at 70%. 46yrs. old, pre-menopausal

MO recommends TC but also says it is up to me...there is no wrong choice. ugh.


Comments

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited February 2018

    23 is an intermediate Oncotype score. Ki67 is a measure of how quickly the cells are dividing, and "high" starts at 20%. The higher the score, the assumption is, the more aggressive the cancer (though this isn't definitive).

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

    I can see why you're on the fence. What are your ER and PR scores? The higher the percentage the more you can figure Tamoxifen will help.

    I had an Oncotype score of 18 and chose no chemo if that is helpful.

  • 1strongdaisy
    1strongdaisy Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2018

    er strong at 60, pr strong at 100 I don't know if 60 is considered high enough?

  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited March 2018

    Hmm, 60 is high enough. What grade was your cancer?

  • IzzyShepherd
    IzzyShepherd Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2018

    my oncotype score was 24 and I elected not to take chemo. Taking radiation on whole breast now then the plan is to start tamoxifen. I am 54 and still premenopausal. It is a hard decision but for me the side effects of chemo was not worth the small percentage of benefit. Good luck to you

    Diane


  • IzzyShepherd
    IzzyShepherd Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2018

    my oncotype score was 24 and I elected not to take chemo. Taking radiation on whole breast now then the plan is to start tamoxifen. I am 54 and still premenopausal. It is a hard decision but for me the side effects of chemo was not worth the small percentage of benefit. Good luck to you

    Diane


  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited March 2018

    You are not taking the easy way out. Choosing no chemo might just very well be what is the right treatment for you. Many doctors don't trust hormone therapy but in particular AI drugs are proving very effective. Being pre menopausal you could take tamoxifen or you could be be into menopause and take AI drugs. If you are strongly er and pr positive tamoxifen is just as effective as AI. You make the decision on what is right for you don't let anyone tell you that you are taking the easy way out just because you chose no chemo.

Categories