Oncotype Score

Leslienva

i was recently diagnosed with Stage 1, ER positive breast cancer. i was diagnosed in 2000  at age 39 with Stage 2 ER positive cancer and had a lumpectomy, chemo, and rads. This is now a new cancer, not a recurrence. I scored 29 on the oncotype scale, which is in the intermediate range, which is still a gray area for chemo. I really don't want to do chemo again because I've been through it once and worry about long term effects. Has anyone else had an intermediate score and if so, what did you do? 

Thanks!

Pixie Dust

IT'S YOUR DECISION

Leslienva, sorry to here you have a new cancer returning. In 2000 when you had your first cancer, oncotype dx was not offered yet. They came out with this test in 2004. This a a great test to show whether or not you need chemo. This is not offered to all people with breast cancer, Its according what kind and stage you are in. My oncotype score was 30 and my ONC said I had to have chemo and I even had a BMX. Its your own decision to have chemo but with a score of 29 I think you need to have chemo. I know that you are thinking about having chemo in 2000, but 14yrs. later they have come a long way the way they give chemo now. Good luck with your decision and please let me know what you have decided.   (((PRAYERS)))  Pixie Dust

button2

Pixie Dust said:

IT'S YOUR DECISION

Leslienva, sorry to here you have a new cancer returning. In 2000 when you had your first cancer, oncotype dx was not offered yet. They came out with this test in 2004. This a a great test to show whether or not you need chemo. This is not offered to all people with breast cancer, Its according what kind and stage you are in. My oncotype score was 30 and my ONC said I had to have chemo and I even had a BMX. Its your own decision to have chemo but with a score of 29 I think you need to have chemo. I know that you are thinking about having chemo in 2000, but 14yrs. later they have come a long way the way they give chemo now. Good luck with your decision and please let me know what you have decided.   (((PRAYERS)))  Pixie Dust

Fight hard

Pixie Dust gave a great answer. I think we should hit cancer with everything we've got! It sounds like early stages and I'm sure chemo will destroy all the cancer cells. Good luck and keep us up to date. Positive thoughts coming your way!!!!

Double Whammy

button2 said:

Fight hard

Pixie Dust gave a great answer. I think we should hit cancer with everything we've got! It sounds like early stages and I'm sure chemo will destroy all the cancer cells. Good luck and keep us up to date. Positive thoughts coming your way!!!!

29? Take the advice of your onc

Yes, that's in the intermediate range, but it's at the high point of intermediate.  My score was 31, only 2 numbers higher than yours, but considered in the high risk range.  I understand it to mean if the tumor has more than X number of the genomic characteristics they test for, it has the abilitiy to metastasize early, even with early stage, low grade, node negative cancers.  And that number is either 30 or 31 - I can't remember, but I was just either on the line or just over it.  Anyway, I now often wonder whether I could have skipped chemo or if having it was necessary to mop up any cells elsewhere in my body, and it did its job.  I'll never know for sure, of course.  But what I do know is IF it had come back somewhere else and I had declined chemo I would never have forgiven myself for taking that gamble.  And that is what all of this is - a gamble, based on statistics.  More and more information is available now, but it's still a gamble. 

I so understand you not wanting to go through chemo again, but I think they have a better handle on managing the side effects now than in 2000.  Please have a frank discussion with your oncologist about your concerns and what type of chemo s/he is recommending, how many cycles, etc.   The entire protocol may be different from what you had initially.  And, consider getting  a second opinion if you're not satisfied with the answers you get.  

Good luck.

Suzanne

 

Puffin2014

hi intermediate oncotype

My onco score was 27, 30 is considered hi risk. My onco said it really wasn't up for discussion, that I needed chemo. I completed my 4 rounds of taxotere and cytoxin a little over 3 weeks ago and I start radiation today (I had lumpectomy). Previous comment is correct, there are much better pre meds now that are given with each chemo to control the nausea, and I got the Neulasta shot 24 hours after each chemo, which stimulates the bone marrow to make more white blood cells, so my counts were always good.

I'd also recommend that you check out the educational material and the discussion forums at breastcancer.org. My oncologist recommended that website as a reputable place to go, with research based information. When you find a Discussion Forum you want to follow be sure and mark it as a Favorite so it's easy to find again. I followed the Lumpectomy forum, then the July Chemo forum, and now am in the Fall 2014 Rads forum. Plan to check out the Arimidex forums in the next couple weeks.

The chat room on this site also has some wonderful supportive people with cancers of all types, several breast cancer ladies there. Chat room has most people on in the evening, like 8:30 to midnight central time. I'll watch for you over there.

GlowMore

Puffin2014 said:

hi intermediate oncotype

My onco score was 27, 30 is considered hi risk. My onco said it really wasn't up for discussion, that I needed chemo. I completed my 4 rounds of taxotere and cytoxin a little over 3 weeks ago and I start radiation today (I had lumpectomy). Previous comment is correct, there are much better pre meds now that are given with each chemo to control the nausea, and I got the Neulasta shot 24 hours after each chemo, which stimulates the bone marrow to make more white blood cells, so my counts were always good.

I'd also recommend that you check out the educational material and the discussion forums at breastcancer.org. My oncologist recommended that website as a reputable place to go, with research based information. When you find a Discussion Forum you want to follow be sure and mark it as a Favorite so it's easy to find again. I followed the Lumpectomy forum, then the July Chemo forum, and now am in the Fall 2014 Rads forum. Plan to check out the Arimidex forums in the next couple weeks.

The chat room on this site also has some wonderful supportive people with cancers of all types, several breast cancer ladies there. Chat room has most people on in the evening, like 8:30 to midnight central time. I'll watch for you over there.

Puffin...

Puffin you give the very best advice.......  we are all Blessed to have you on this Discussion Board***

I have never even heard of this test......so I guess they didn't have it in 2002 when I KNEW I had to do the Chemo if I wanted to LIVE..............  I was Blessed to have that Newlasta shot back then too...but it was Brand New then and I had to put up a Squack before I got it...........now it is routine....      I hope all goes well and know the right decision will be made.   Hugs and Prayers***

GMcD

GlowMore said:

Puffin...

Puffin you give the very best advice.......  we are all Blessed to have you on this Discussion Board***

I have never even heard of this test......so I guess they didn't have it in 2002 when I KNEW I had to do the Chemo if I wanted to LIVE..............  I was Blessed to have that Newlasta shot back then too...but it was Brand New then and I had to put up a Squack before I got it...........now it is routine....      I hope all goes well and know the right decision will be made.   Hugs and Prayers***

My score was 22.  My

My score was 22.  My oncologist told me before even running the test that any score over 18 meant chemo in her practice.  Chemo is definitely not a day at the park but it can be done.  I wish you the best in your fight.

Puffin2014

GlowMore said:

Puffin...

Puffin you give the very best advice.......  we are all Blessed to have you on this Discussion Board***

I have never even heard of this test......so I guess they didn't have it in 2002 when I KNEW I had to do the Chemo if I wanted to LIVE..............  I was Blessed to have that Newlasta shot back then too...but it was Brand New then and I had to put up a Squack before I got it...........now it is routine....      I hope all goes well and know the right decision will be made.   Hugs and Prayers***

the teacher in me

Thanks GlowMore, guess it's the teacher in me! I taught nursing students for 13 years, and always loved the patient/family teaching part of my nursing career.