Oncotype Dx test on premenapasal woman?

TulsaMomof3
TulsaMomof3 Member Posts: 105
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Ok so my doctor ordered the Onco test for me and said results will be 2-3 weeks, then I will meet with an Oncologist. I asked her about is reliablity on woman under 40, I had read it really was made for postmenapausal woman and is not as accurate on younger women. She said well that can be true so the oncologist will use many things to help make treatment plans. Has anyone heard of the test not being as accurate on younger women?
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Comments

  • BethInAz
    BethInAz Member Posts: 203 Member
    Haven't heard this
    TulsaMomof3: I haven't heard this. I had the Oncotype DX test - and it said that it's specifically for node negative, ER+ women. It was an amazing tool that made my treatment plan very clear. It will show you how effective chemotherapy will be for your particular tumor (they dissect the tumor and test for 21 different things) and what the odds are for recurrence within 10 years if you take the chemo vs. not - and also the effectiveness of tamoxifen. Let us know what your Oncotype score is when you get the test results back!
    Prayers for you,
    Beth
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    oncotype dx
    For me I understood it to be that the test would determine whether I have chemo or take arimidex. My score was on the borderline, and I take the pill.
  • TulsaMomof3
    TulsaMomof3 Member Posts: 105
    lizzie17 said:

    oncotype dx
    For me I understood it to be that the test would determine whether I have chemo or take arimidex. My score was on the borderline, and I take the pill.

    This may be a stupid
    This may be a stupid question but if the test only shows a reoccurance rate for 10 years, what about the rest of my life. I am 37 I will only be 47 in 10 years??
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    BethInAz said:

    Haven't heard this
    TulsaMomof3: I haven't heard this. I had the Oncotype DX test - and it said that it's specifically for node negative, ER+ women. It was an amazing tool that made my treatment plan very clear. It will show you how effective chemotherapy will be for your particular tumor (they dissect the tumor and test for 21 different things) and what the odds are for recurrence within 10 years if you take the chemo vs. not - and also the effectiveness of tamoxifen. Let us know what your Oncotype score is when you get the test results back!
    Prayers for you,
    Beth

    No, I have never heard that.
    No, I have never heard that. Be sure and post to update us on what you find out. Good luck to you!


    Hugs, Diane
  • me631919
    me631919 Member Posts: 3
    BethInAz said:

    Haven't heard this
    TulsaMomof3: I haven't heard this. I had the Oncotype DX test - and it said that it's specifically for node negative, ER+ women. It was an amazing tool that made my treatment plan very clear. It will show you how effective chemotherapy will be for your particular tumor (they dissect the tumor and test for 21 different things) and what the odds are for recurrence within 10 years if you take the chemo vs. not - and also the effectiveness of tamoxifen. Let us know what your Oncotype score is when you get the test results back!
    Prayers for you,
    Beth

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to this site. I'm waiting for the results back on my Onco test. I have an appt with my oncologist on 6/10 to discuss the outcome. I was diagonised with breast cancer back in February of this year. I had surgery back in April, I do know I have 36 radiation treatments and hormonal treatment with tamoxifen. My tumor was ER/PR positive and lymph node negative also (stage 2).
  • TulsaMomof3
    TulsaMomof3 Member Posts: 105
    me631919 said:

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to this site. I'm waiting for the results back on my Onco test. I have an appt with my oncologist on 6/10 to discuss the outcome. I was diagonised with breast cancer back in February of this year. I had surgery back in April, I do know I have 36 radiation treatments and hormonal treatment with tamoxifen. My tumor was ER/PR positive and lymph node negative also (stage 2).

    how long did they say it
    how long did they say it would take to get the results? I had er/prog + her2 - , 1.4 cen tumor IDC and several areas of dcis, I had a BLM with the DIEP, I was stage 1 with everything being grade 1
  • TulsaMomof3
    TulsaMomof3 Member Posts: 105
    me631919 said:

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to this site. I'm waiting for the results back on my Onco test. I have an appt with my oncologist on 6/10 to discuss the outcome. I was diagonised with breast cancer back in February of this year. I had surgery back in April, I do know I have 36 radiation treatments and hormonal treatment with tamoxifen. My tumor was ER/PR positive and lymph node negative also (stage 2).

    how long did they say it
    how long did they say it would take to get the results? I had er/prog + her2 - , 1.4 cen tumor IDC and several areas of dcis, I had a BLM with the DIEP, I was stage 1 with everything being grade 1
  • kiki3
    kiki3 Member Posts: 15
    Genomic Health's suggestions for test
    Here is the info off of the genomic health site. They perform the test.
    The Oncotype DX® test is a diagnostic test that is performed after your original breast cancer surgery. Like other laboratory tests, it must be ordered by an authorized healthcare provider.

    Below is a checklist that may help you determine if you are a potential candidate for the Oncotype DX test.

    You may be a candidate for the Oncotype DX test if:


    You have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and you and your doctor are making treatment decisions regarding chemotherapy.


    You have been diagnosed with stage I or II invasive breast cancer.


    Your breast cancer is estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+).


    You do not have lymph node involvement (this is known as lymph-node-negative breast cancer).

    Post-menopausal women recently diagnosed with node-positive, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer may also be appropriate candidates for the Oncotype DX test.
  • BethInAz
    BethInAz Member Posts: 203 Member
    me631919 said:

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to

    Hi BethlnAz,
    I'm new to this site. I'm waiting for the results back on my Onco test. I have an appt with my oncologist on 6/10 to discuss the outcome. I was diagonised with breast cancer back in February of this year. I had surgery back in April, I do know I have 36 radiation treatments and hormonal treatment with tamoxifen. My tumor was ER/PR positive and lymph node negative also (stage 2).

    Hi me631919
    Hi! Welcome to the boards! It sounds like our cancers were pretty much the same. Mine was tricky. It hid from mammogram and ultrasound for way too long - ended up being 2.5 cm in size by the time a dimple in the breast warned me something was wrong! Now I'm past the treatments and feeling wonderful again. I know you'll do as well. I'll look forward to hearing about your score.
    Let us know!
    Beth
  • kiki3
    kiki3 Member Posts: 15
    kiki3 said:

    Genomic Health's suggestions for test
    Here is the info off of the genomic health site. They perform the test.
    The Oncotype DX® test is a diagnostic test that is performed after your original breast cancer surgery. Like other laboratory tests, it must be ordered by an authorized healthcare provider.

    Below is a checklist that may help you determine if you are a potential candidate for the Oncotype DX test.

    You may be a candidate for the Oncotype DX test if:


    You have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and you and your doctor are making treatment decisions regarding chemotherapy.


    You have been diagnosed with stage I or II invasive breast cancer.


    Your breast cancer is estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+).


    You do not have lymph node involvement (this is known as lymph-node-negative breast cancer).

    Post-menopausal women recently diagnosed with node-positive, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer may also be appropriate candidates for the Oncotype DX test.

    Two tests are always best
    I had this test done. I am 40, pre menpsl, er/pr+, node neg, her2+. My oncologist had ordered this test before surgery. When my labs came back her2+, my surgeon said they would not bother to run the oncotype, as I was already high risk. She did not cancel the test, so it was performed. It came back showing I was her2-. A third FISH test was done confirming I am positive. The head of the genomic lab apparently ran another oncotype, just to confirm its results. They still came back neg. Apparently it is 97% accurate, and I fell into the 3% false negative. I learned not to always trust one test when you are deciding major health issues. I would still have had it run, as it could have been the first test that was wrong. Just a word of caution- every test has the ability to be wrong, so double checking is a good practice :-)
  • BethInAz
    BethInAz Member Posts: 203 Member

    This may be a stupid
    This may be a stupid question but if the test only shows a reoccurance rate for 10 years, what about the rest of my life. I am 37 I will only be 47 in 10 years??

    No questions are "stupid"
    Your question is not a stupid one, TulsaMom. I think this phrase of "non-recurrence within 10 years" is probably based on studies by researchers. I felt the same way when I first saw this statistic. Gosh, in 10 years I'll be as old as my mom was when she died at 64 from colon cancer. But then I've spoken to so many women who are survivors for way longer than 10 years. I've spoken to gals who are 20 year survivors - and still going strong! When we asked my oncologist when we could "breathe" again, his advice was to not give into fear - after all, he said, we all fear getting into a terrible auto accident but that doesn't mean we give up driving. In the same way, we might fear a recurrence but that doesn't mean we give up living. Sure, it's still in the back of my mind every day (how can it not be when I look at myself in the mirror?) but I'm enjoying life again and giving back by being available to others who are recently diagnosed. I think the whole experience gives us a new perspective on living - and we become grateful for every day we're given. Each one is just another present to be opened and enjoyed and used!
    Much love, Beth
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    oncotype
    hey tulsamom...i had the test done...i'm 43 and premenopause...the test came back saying i have only a 1% chance of recurrence...so my onc believes the chemo would do more harm than good and i'm doing just hormone therapy...she putting me in menapause now and i take femara once a day...i just say it could be sooo much worse....
  • CarrWilson
    CarrWilson Member Posts: 111
    OncotypeDX was a big dilemma
    I am considered young for breast cancer. (Who knew 49 was young) I had the OncotypeDX test somewhat by mistake. The surgeon ordered it while I was still talking to the Oncologist about whether to take it or not. My score came back at 16. In the intermediate range. They are doing a clinical trial called TailorRx to determine the benefit for women in the intermediate range and how well they do with or without chemo.

    My understanding this test is becoming a somewhat a "gold standard". But we have to remember it is a fairly new test, with clinical trials still going on. We need to take all the information given to us by all parties including the oncologist. I have not heard of it being not as accurate on younger women, but who knows? We each have to do what we feel is right for our own situation. My children are grown, but I plan on being around for another 40 years!

    I hope you have a low score, and good luck with your treatment decisions!

    - Carrie
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991

    how long did they say it
    how long did they say it would take to get the results? I had er/prog + her2 - , 1.4 cen tumor IDC and several areas of dcis, I had a BLM with the DIEP, I was stage 1 with everything being grade 1

    I didn't know that age had
    I didn't know that age had anything to do with the test. I thought it was just offered to anyone with bc to see if they would need chemo.
  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 Member Posts: 355 Member

    OncotypeDX was a big dilemma
    I am considered young for breast cancer. (Who knew 49 was young) I had the OncotypeDX test somewhat by mistake. The surgeon ordered it while I was still talking to the Oncologist about whether to take it or not. My score came back at 16. In the intermediate range. They are doing a clinical trial called TailorRx to determine the benefit for women in the intermediate range and how well they do with or without chemo.

    My understanding this test is becoming a somewhat a "gold standard". But we have to remember it is a fairly new test, with clinical trials still going on. We need to take all the information given to us by all parties including the oncologist. I have not heard of it being not as accurate on younger women, but who knows? We each have to do what we feel is right for our own situation. My children are grown, but I plan on being around for another 40 years!

    I hope you have a low score, and good luck with your treatment decisions!

    - Carrie

    What did you decide?
    Carrie,

    Did you take chemo based on the OncotypeDX, or did you opt to just do the anti-hormone therapy? I just got my results today---18, and I have to decide which way to go. Stage I IDC, estrogen/progesterone positive, HER2-, no lymph node involvement, I am post menopausal.

    Thanks.

    chickadee
  • CarrWilson
    CarrWilson Member Posts: 111

    What did you decide?
    Carrie,

    Did you take chemo based on the OncotypeDX, or did you opt to just do the anti-hormone therapy? I just got my results today---18, and I have to decide which way to go. Stage I IDC, estrogen/progesterone positive, HER2-, no lymph node involvement, I am post menopausal.

    Thanks.

    chickadee

    Chickadee
    I also have stage I, IDC, and DCIS, E+/P+ HER2-, right mastectomy, margins not clear, no lymph node involvement, perimenopausal, age 49. I had two opinions from two oncologists before the OncotypeDX results that each recommended 4 cycles of T/C. My result of 16 fell into the TailorRX mid range study group.

    For me, it came down to what the oncologists recommended before knowing the results and yes, I did do 4 cycles of chemo. Will be starting rads next week. I knew in my heart that if I did "everything" and had a recurrence it would be bad luck. But if I did not do "everything" and had a recurrence I would be p*ssed off at myself and questioning what if.....

    However, my best friend is also fighting this beast (age 59), her score was 18. This is her second time around, she did everything the first time, and said no to chemo this time, just did rads.

    We are so individual, with our own philosophy, priorities and beliefs... go with your heart and gut. Once you make a decision you will feel much better.

    Best of Luck -
    Carrie
  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 Member Posts: 355 Member

    Chickadee
    I also have stage I, IDC, and DCIS, E+/P+ HER2-, right mastectomy, margins not clear, no lymph node involvement, perimenopausal, age 49. I had two opinions from two oncologists before the OncotypeDX results that each recommended 4 cycles of T/C. My result of 16 fell into the TailorRX mid range study group.

    For me, it came down to what the oncologists recommended before knowing the results and yes, I did do 4 cycles of chemo. Will be starting rads next week. I knew in my heart that if I did "everything" and had a recurrence it would be bad luck. But if I did not do "everything" and had a recurrence I would be p*ssed off at myself and questioning what if.....

    However, my best friend is also fighting this beast (age 59), her score was 18. This is her second time around, she did everything the first time, and said no to chemo this time, just did rads.

    We are so individual, with our own philosophy, priorities and beliefs... go with your heart and gut. Once you make a decision you will feel much better.

    Best of Luck -
    Carrie

    Thanks Carrie.
    I am just

    Thanks Carrie.
    I am just about decided to go with the 4 cycles of chemo. I have read until my eyes hurt, questioned everyone I know and followed up with my oncologist's nurse with some other questions.
    I feel sick inside thinking about doing it, but I can't imagine how sick inside I would feel if there was a recurrence later and I hadn't done it all. I had BLM because I only wanted to face this once; it doesn't make sense to take the minimalist approach for the follow up therapies. Looks like chemo and anti-hormone for me.
    I appreciate your response. Thanks again and best of luck to you, too.
  • me631919
    me631919 Member Posts: 3

    how long did they say it
    how long did they say it would take to get the results? I had er/prog + her2 - , 1.4 cen tumor IDC and several areas of dcis, I had a BLM with the DIEP, I was stage 1 with everything being grade 1

    I have an appointment this
    I have an appointment this Thursday for the results on the Onco test. One laboratory in the US does this test (in California). I would allow two weeks for the results. I was told my nuclear grade of my tumor was mid range (2).
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member

    Chickadee
    I also have stage I, IDC, and DCIS, E+/P+ HER2-, right mastectomy, margins not clear, no lymph node involvement, perimenopausal, age 49. I had two opinions from two oncologists before the OncotypeDX results that each recommended 4 cycles of T/C. My result of 16 fell into the TailorRX mid range study group.

    For me, it came down to what the oncologists recommended before knowing the results and yes, I did do 4 cycles of chemo. Will be starting rads next week. I knew in my heart that if I did "everything" and had a recurrence it would be bad luck. But if I did not do "everything" and had a recurrence I would be p*ssed off at myself and questioning what if.....

    However, my best friend is also fighting this beast (age 59), her score was 18. This is her second time around, she did everything the first time, and said no to chemo this time, just did rads.

    We are so individual, with our own philosophy, priorities and beliefs... go with your heart and gut. Once you make a decision you will feel much better.

    Best of Luck -
    Carrie

    OncotypeDX number versus percentage?
    This is always a bit confusing to me: My oncologist said to ignore my number (I don't even know what it was) and pay attention to my percentage (15%) -- the chance of cancer recurring within 10 years if no chemo. When you refer to "score" or "result," do you mean percentage?

    Even at "only" 15%, I too chose to do 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan. Very doable, as we say. Frankly, after seeing what other people at the chemo center are going through, I call my experience "Chemo Lite." No disrespect meant.

    Like Carrie, I'll do everything and do it now! Chemo's done and I'll do two years of Tamoxifen then several years of Arimidex. (I can't afford Arimidex now and hope it will go generic in two years.) I am postmenopausal.

    Yes, once I decided, it was full-steam-ahead, fight, fight! It gives me peace of mind to know I'm doing all I can. All the best to you all!
  • CarrWilson
    CarrWilson Member Posts: 111

    Thanks Carrie.
    I am just

    Thanks Carrie.
    I am just about decided to go with the 4 cycles of chemo. I have read until my eyes hurt, questioned everyone I know and followed up with my oncologist's nurse with some other questions.
    I feel sick inside thinking about doing it, but I can't imagine how sick inside I would feel if there was a recurrence later and I hadn't done it all. I had BLM because I only wanted to face this once; it doesn't make sense to take the minimalist approach for the follow up therapies. Looks like chemo and anti-hormone for me.
    I appreciate your response. Thanks again and best of luck to you, too.

    Chickadee
    I am glad you are coming to a decision. It is VERY hard with all the information available, and not all of it agrees. I like your response "why take a minimalist approach for the follow up therapies." I have "friends" trying to scare me about tamifoxin and it's side effects. It seems like nothing is easy, I am going to have to do some more research, but I want to avoid a recurrence at all costs. Keep us informed about your progress. Chemo is only really scary the first time, then you feel like an old hat, and enjoy talking with the Oncology nurses. It is very doable.

    Take care - Carrie