Chemo or no chemo?

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Vivian4
Vivian4 Member Posts: 32
edited February 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

This is my first post here. I was dx in July, had a surgery in August and now trying to decide if I should do chemo (4XTC) or just rad+hormonal therapy. It is a scary decision as my Oncotype score is 22. My tumor was ER/PR+, HER2-, 1.5 cm, and no node involvement, clear margins after surgery.

Is there anyone who had similar scores and decided against chemo?

If so, how long has it been since you've been on hormones and how do you feel about your decision?

Thank you in advance so much for all your replies.

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  • NotBrokenJustBent
    NotBrokenJustBent Member Posts: 394
    edited October 2018

    My onco was 20 with same stats as yours but grade 3. I did the chemo but since then the guidelines have changed and I would not have done it knowing what I know now.

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited October 2018

    I think the grade of the cancer would influence me toward chemo. Your path report should give the efficacy of chemo as opposed to risks

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

    Score of 22, both er and pr positive grade 2 no nodes, I would not do chemo.

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  • palliser
    palliser Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2018

    NotBrokenJustBent Hi, you mention that guidelines have changed. What are these guidelines? and how have they changed?

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  • Fukcancer
    Fukcancer Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2018

    I’m in a similar situation, but I have a grade 3 tumor with an oncotype of 27. I’m 37 years old. Thinking of not doing chemo despite the MOs recommendation to do it

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  • Palesa2018
    Palesa2018 Member Posts: 140
    edited October 2018

    Hi, Vivien. What does your MO say? My suggestion would be to take their guidance given they are qualified and know your specific circumstance. We can only give you opinions here and this is too big a decision. Wishing you all the best.

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  • Vivian4
    Vivian4 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2018

    My MO left the decision to me. With the new Taylorx study and everything else doctors are hesitant to sway anyone toward one or the other direction. Taylorx identifies one category of women in the mid-range as the patients who can potentially (6.5%) benefit from chemo. I am in that range. If I do chemo my chance of distant recurrence will go down from 14% to 7.5%, but my 10-year survival chance will improve only 1%.


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  • Vivian4
    Vivian4 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2018

    my tumor is 56% RE+ and 90%PR+. Its estrogen sensitivity is at the low end. I am scared that it won't respond to tamoxifen as well as a tumor that is, let's say, 90% ER+. My oncotype score is probably high because of the low ER sensitivity. At least that's what my MO thinks.

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  • Palesa2018
    Palesa2018 Member Posts: 140
    edited October 2018

    What surgery did you have? Was it a Mx? Were the margins good? Are you indicated for radiation?

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

    Vivian, even if you do chemo there is no guarantee your cancer won't recur. It might lower your risk. Get a second opinion 56% er is not er negative. There are people with a lot lower percentages of estrogen receptors getting tamoxifen.

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited October 2018

    Fukcancer, your age, grade and onco score is a combination that would convince me to listen to the doctor and do the chemo. Good luck

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  • Vivian4
    Vivian4 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2018

    Thank you Ladies. You truly are an inspiration. Incrediably supportive and caring community. Thank you for being here and caring enough to reply to my post.

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

    vivian, I had similar stats, 58 yo at DX. Onco 21. You could ask for a mamma-print test. My MO pretty much left it up to me also. I did chemo. It was pretty manageable for me. Did Tamoxifen for 2.5 yrs. No regrets, but it is a hard decision. Best wishes. (5 yrs tomorrow since my SX)!

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  • Vivian4
    Vivian4 Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2019

    Keepthefaith,

    I did exactly what you did.Surgery+chemo (TCx4), and now about to go through rads. My RO wants to do 33 rounds of rads. Not sure of his reasoning and plan to discuss it with him before I okay his plans. What was your Rad plan was like--if you don't mind me asking. Thank you for your reply in advance. :).

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