OncoType score of 28

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TamaraS
TamaraS Member Posts: 2
edited May 2018 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi! I am 57, diagnosed with stage 1, grade 1, HR positive, Hers2-, 1.1cm IDC in Dec 2017. My oncology surgeon at a very reputable university hospital in Chicago said if you had to get cancer this is the best of the best situations. Found early it seemed I would have a pretty high survival rate even before any treatment. I had a lumpectomy as surgeon said mastectomy would be overkill for me. I was feeling pretty comfortable about my prognosis until I received my OncoType score of 28. Now it is left up to me decide if I should do chemo. It was the absolute worst dilemma I had ever been in! Why does OncoType even bother with an intermediate score?! I didn't want to make a decision out of fear one way or the other. After much researching I still was on the fence as I have other health issues that may affect how my body may react to the chemo. And there is no guarantee that the cancer won't return with chemo. But I decided to go ahead and do it anyway and signed consent forms and got my chemo bag ready.

The Monday before I was about to start my oncologist calls me and says we should reconsider doing the chemo. We did try to do the Mammaprint test and it came back inconclusive as there was not even enough cancer cells in the tumor to test. I was running out of time to begin doing the chemo if I was going to. In the mean time, friends and family members are telling me that yes, they care about me but they truly had a "feeling" I shouldn't do the chemo. This was told to me a different times by people that didn't even know each other. I had to consider their discernment in this as well as the oncologist reluctance. In the end I chose not to do chemo....Most days I don't give it another thought and go on to do radiation and then I'll do the AI. But other days like today its a cloud over my head and fear wants to seep in. Well, that's my story. I wonder if anyone can relate to my situation. Hoping for the best for all of us.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited May 2018

    Tamara, I was a 21 onco-score. It's crazy going in to a BC DX, you think all of the decisions will "be made for you" and will be black and white. Not so. I decided on chemo because I would beat myself up later if I had a recurrence and didn't do it. My MO basically left the decision up to me. I had no mamma-print done, but it was offered. My family was part of my decision making, in that I felt I had to do everything I could and want to be there for them and with them, as long as I can. They "supported" my decision, but I don't think they really wanted me to do chemo. You never know what you will do, until you are the one facing that decision. I finally just decided to follow my gut and pray for the best. Sometimes I wonder if maybe it was over-kill. But, the chemo wasn't really that bad and I am here now and feeling good. We just have to do what we think is best for us and our situation at the time. Best wishes.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited May 2018

    My second cancer the doctor said no chemo and didn't recommend the oncotypeDX as he said the treatment would be the same.....no chemo, no rads, mastectomy and nodes were negative...no LIVi....but it always bothers me that it was a grade 3. It sort of hands in the corners of your mind. But, you learn olive with it. Life is full of pot holes....and land mines....everyone eventually steps in a few long the way.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2018

    10 years ago I was a 27... gray area-- had to decide.. took me about a minute to decide on chemo--when I asked the surgeon and onc what they would recommend if I was their sister, they both said the would recommend chemo--the shortest rounds possible. I was young and healthy, so I did it. My kids were young and I wanted to have the best chance of being around for a long time.

    I appreciate that everyone has an opinion, but the fact remains, you are the one who has to live with the impact of having or not having chemo. My litmus test was what decision will help me sleep at night. I have to say, I have slept soundly almost every night of the past 10 years. You have do what is best for you!!!


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

    Hi Tamera. I have stats very similar to yours and an Oncotype of 26. After consulting three radiologists (because that's just the way I roll) all concurred and I happily chose no chemo. Sounds like it was the right decision for you too so don't look back! Personally I try to focus on what I can control now, which is diet and exercise and trying to do activities that are calming and de-stressing. Hope you can hold onto the non-fearful days and take the rest of your treatment one day at a time - wish you the best and feel free to PM me if that would be helpful.

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  • DandelionHair
    DandelionHair Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2018

    Hi Tamera, it's unnerving to try to figure it out. My Onca score was 30. Stage 2A. 2.5 cm IDC-L. I went ahead with chemo and radiation. I often second guess myself, have I made the right decisions? Maybe there will be a cure for cancer soon and this will not be an issue for our future BC sisters
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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited May 2018

    My oncodx was 34 and it was recommended I do chemo. I chose not to do chemo and I think I made the right decision based on other factors. I wasn't going to be taking tamoxifen but AI drugs and studies showed quite a difference in the effectivity in my er+ pr- cancer making it just about equal to er+ pr+. And my grade was 5 and 6 on the Nottingham scale with a mitotic score of 1 on each tumor. Also I was strongly pressed to have a mastectomy because 2 tumors and a suspicious area. I didn't want to but I am glad I did. I healed without any issues and didn't require radiation. I had good DIEP reconstruction.

    I had one tumor ILC and my oncologist said he won't recommended bmx that the AI drug would protect the other side. I took him at his word on that one. So far I'm good.

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

    I think all the posts on here are all good ones. You make your decisions and hope for the best.

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