Low onco - no radiation?

My understanding from my team here was that radiation is needed in these situations...

1. If you did a lumpectomy it is a must

2. If after your mastectomy they found that your lymph nodes were affected then radiation would happen.

3. Possibly if you don't have clear margins

At my last appointment I questioned that I have an appointment scheduled with an RO before my surgery and asked if I really needed to keep that appointment as I am having a double mastectomy and so far it seems like my lymph nodes may be OK (they won't really know until my surgery is complete 1/31) BUT I learned at due to my age (41) and my family history (no genes but multiple family members all also with no gene identified) and other factors (multicentric and some other stuff) that radiation is not off the table at this point in my situation. They wanted me seeing the RO ahead of everything due to information they already know, this way if RO deems I need it we can move forward accordingly after surgery without further delay.

I was also told that onco score only relates to wether or not chemo will be benifical.

If I were you I would ask your RO just as you posted on here about what was said to you and hopefully they will be able to clarify a bit more from their end how radiation works and in what situations they deem it necessary and vice versa. Since you have had your surgery already I would hope that they will have all the information needed to make the best decision for your situation. AND of course.....if you don't feel comfortable go elsewhere for a second opinion.

I too would think if you aren't having radiation then he may put the implants in sooner as well. You could always call his office and ask that same question.

I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow and that you do not need to have radiation. (((((HUGS))))) 

Hi ....I have a question about the Oncotype test. I had lumpectomy one month ago and went in to talk to my radiation Dr for the first time today. I do the simulation next week and he said I will do 15 sessions. But then he pulled out a folder and said I could have the Oncotype test and it would tell me if I need chemo (😳 My surgeon said I didn’t wil clear margins and clear lymph nodes and 5mm tumor) and then handed me another pamphlet about Heredity Screening test( I have zero family history), all covered by Medicare. I felt like it was a sales pitch because from what I understood I was having surgery, radiation, and a pill. He didn’t insist on these tests. Have you all had these? Thanks. I feel I have enough to worry about and chemo was never mentioned to me before. I am stage 1, Grade 1. Please tell me what you think. Thanks ❤️

Suzy, with the size of you tumor you are right at the cutoff for Oncotype testing. If I were you, I would read the Oncotype threads to see what others with small tumors have done. The good thing about Oncotype is it can give you an idea of whether chemo will work on you cancer. Just because it is small does not mean that it may not be aggressive. If your score comes back low, at least you can feel good about not doing chemo. If Medicare covers both types of testing, you might as well get as much info. as possible. Also, it is not the surgeon’s job to tell you your treatment plan. Good luck with your decision making and keep us posted.

I had a 1.5cm tumor and mastectomy with low Oncotype score of 8. I did not do radiation. I did meet with a radiation oncologist who told me maybe 1 out of 5 RO's might consider it for me, but only because I had lymphovascular invasion. I would think about NOT doing it in your shoes, but that's me.

My understanding is that the Oncotype not only tells you whether to have chemo or not, but also addresses risk of recurrence. Get your full report, hard copy. It gives risk with and without chemo Assuming hormonal therapy, which halves the risk.

In my case chemo would have done more harm than good. The same was possibly true of radiation so I am just doing an aromatase inhibitor. Fours years out.