Oncotype DX score & my decision...

beachmom
beachmom Member Posts: 50
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Ladies,

I had my appointment with the MO yesterday and my onco scores were 11 and 18. I have decided not to have chemo with those scores, the 11 being so low and the 18 right at the beginning of the "gray" area. My cancer was stage 2, ER/PR +, HER2- with no node involvement. I will start Armidex soonish, as soon as I get the courage to sallow the first pill!
Of course, there is that thought in the back of my mind...did I make the right decision, but I trust the doc's judgement and I'm going with that at this point. I'm sure I'll research it to death before I put it to rest!

My lovely daughter had a couple of comp airline tickets and booked a quick trip to the sunshine state for us. Just a time to relax and regroup before the holidays. What a nice surprise that was, my toes will be in the sand in no time and I'll soak up some sunshine and warmth. Wish I could pack it up and bring it back to Michigan with me :( I really hate winter!

I so appreciate all of you lovely people on these boards, there's such great info here on these pages!

Lots of love and thanks to all of you,
Keely

Comments

  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #2
    I made the same decision!
    I had one tumor with a score of 18. I was told chemo would improve my recurrence rate by very little. I was otherwise healthy taking no meds. I was also 58 at the time so that was also a consideration. It wasn't a difficult decision for me. I'm 3 years out in Feb. I take Arimidex with very few side effects. As we all have learned, there are no guarantees. We all have an expiration date. Let's hope we both made the correct choice!

    Roseann
  • taiga
    taiga Member Posts: 75 Member
    #3
    roseann4 said:

    I made the same decision!
    I had one tumor with a score of 18. I was told chemo would improve my recurrence rate by very little. I was otherwise healthy taking no meds. I was also 58 at the time so that was also a consideration. It wasn't a difficult decision for me. I'm 3 years out in Feb. I take Arimidex with very few side effects. As we all have learned, there are no guarantees. We all have an expiration date. Let's hope we both made the correct choice!

    Roseann

    Your score
    What do you mean when you reference your "scores". I am ER+ and HER2+. The path report said grade 2. The other reference to the HER2 was "HER2/neu Amplified with HER2/neu to centromere 17 ratio: 3.5. I was dx. 11-16, right now I'm on Arimidex until we get a plan together. I just finsihed a tough chemo regime about a year ago for ovarian cancer and have been on Avastin all year. I would love to not have to do chemo again - maybe just Herceptin and Arimidex to hopfully shrink it (2.5cm) and then a lumpectomy.
  • mollieb
    mollieb Member Posts: 148
    #4
    taiga said:

    Your score
    What do you mean when you reference your "scores". I am ER+ and HER2+. The path report said grade 2. The other reference to the HER2 was "HER2/neu Amplified with HER2/neu to centromere 17 ratio: 3.5. I was dx. 11-16, right now I'm on Arimidex until we get a plan together. I just finsihed a tough chemo regime about a year ago for ovarian cancer and have been on Avastin all year. I would love to not have to do chemo again - maybe just Herceptin and Arimidex to hopfully shrink it (2.5cm) and then a lumpectomy.

    Oncotype DX
    Oncotype DX is a genomic analysis of your tumor. I am not sure whether they have expanded its base, but when it first came out 7 or 8 years ago, it was useful only for ER+, HER- tumors. A score is assigned based on a longitudinal study of thousands of tumors -- if the patient has a lumpectomy and takes Tamoxifen for at least five years (I can't remember whether the patients had radiation), what is the rate of recurrence for tumors with this specific genomic profile? A number between 1 and 100 is assigned, with 100 being the most likely to recur. (Oddly, it's not exactly related to percentage -- my first tumor was a 3, with a 4% chance of recurrence.) People whose tumors are not likely to recur without chemo can feel more comfortable deciding not to do it.
  • beachmom
    beachmom Member Posts: 50
    #5
    taiga said:

    Your score
    What do you mean when you reference your "scores". I am ER+ and HER2+. The path report said grade 2. The other reference to the HER2 was "HER2/neu Amplified with HER2/neu to centromere 17 ratio: 3.5. I was dx. 11-16, right now I'm on Arimidex until we get a plan together. I just finsihed a tough chemo regime about a year ago for ovarian cancer and have been on Avastin all year. I would love to not have to do chemo again - maybe just Herceptin and Arimidex to hopfully shrink it (2.5cm) and then a lumpectomy.

    scores
    Hi Tiaga,
    I had two different cancers, one in each breast. I had both tumors tested. I believe that the Oncotype test is for "ER/PR +, HER2-, node negative" cancers. There is an instance where it is mentioned that node positive may be tested. There's great info on their website to inform you if you are a candidate for this test.

    I'm sorry that you are now facing this with what you have just been through. I have seen your previous posts. I know that you know how great these folks can be. It is such a great source of information and support. I wish you well and will be sending you prayers.

    Keely
  • beachmom
    beachmom Member Posts: 50
    #6
    roseann4 said:

    I made the same decision!
    I had one tumor with a score of 18. I was told chemo would improve my recurrence rate by very little. I was otherwise healthy taking no meds. I was also 58 at the time so that was also a consideration. It wasn't a difficult decision for me. I'm 3 years out in Feb. I take Arimidex with very few side effects. As we all have learned, there are no guarantees. We all have an expiration date. Let's hope we both made the correct choice!

    Roseann

    Let's hope!
    Roseann,
    So glad to hear that you made that same decision! There's always that little voice in the back of my head....wondering if I made the right choice.
    I am hoping that I have very few side effects from the Arimidex. You are right, there are no guarantees. Thanks for messaging me, I feel better already!

    Keely
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #7
    beachmom said:

    scores
    Hi Tiaga,
    I had two different cancers, one in each breast. I had both tumors tested. I believe that the Oncotype test is for "ER/PR +, HER2-, node negative" cancers. There is an instance where it is mentioned that node positive may be tested. There's great info on their website to inform you if you are a candidate for this test.

    I'm sorry that you are now facing this with what you have just been through. I have seen your previous posts. I know that you know how great these folks can be. It is such a great source of information and support. I wish you well and will be sending you prayers.

    Keely

    Keely, if I had been you, I
    Keely, if I had been you, I would pass on chemo too. You always have do what is right for you and what your gut tells you. How great to get a trip! Enjoy it!


    Good luck,

    Angie
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #8
    Keely, I made the same decision.
    I can't tell you how many times I wondered if it was the right one, but it was right for me at the time.

    Sue
  • beachmom
    beachmom Member Posts: 50
    #9
    sbmly53 said:

    Keely, I made the same decision.
    I can't tell you how many times I wondered if it was the right one, but it was right for me at the time.

    Sue

    :o)
    Angie and Sue,
    Thanks for the reassuring words, appreciate that so much! I know in my heart that I made the right decision. With that being said, I am a worrier! I worry about everything, for me and for all of you too!

    Hugs to all,
    Keely
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #10
    beachmom said:

    :o)
    Angie and Sue,
    Thanks for the reassuring words, appreciate that so much! I know in my heart that I made the right decision. With that being said, I am a worrier! I worry about everything, for me and for all of you too!

    Hugs to all,
    Keely

    Well nobody really addresses
    Well nobody really addresses it but there is potential fallout for taking chemo as well. We all know it, but know it was a necessary evil. If I didnt have to do chemo I wouldnt have. Make sure you take the arimedex, and follow a healthy lifestyle. There is some research that says taking an aspirin a day decreases chance of recurrence. Also daily exercise is important too. So these are things you can do to help yourself. have a great trip.
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #11
    beachmom said:

    :o)
    Angie and Sue,
    Thanks for the reassuring words, appreciate that so much! I know in my heart that I made the right decision. With that being said, I am a worrier! I worry about everything, for me and for all of you too!

    Hugs to all,
    Keely

    All that matters Keely is
    All that matters Keely is that you know you made the right decision for you! I made a decision to not take tamoxifen and I know it was right for me, irregardless of what others might think or say.

    And, I love your picture!


    Hugs, Angie
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    #12
    beachmom said:

    :o)
    Angie and Sue,
    Thanks for the reassuring words, appreciate that so much! I know in my heart that I made the right decision. With that being said, I am a worrier! I worry about everything, for me and for all of you too!

    Hugs to all,
    Keely

    I think it's wonderful that
    I think it's wonderful that you've made that decision. Wasn't a choice for me, but I was recently talking to a friend who said that her recurrence chance was 8% but 7% with chemo and radiation. I was shocked she chose to do both, let alone one. (the radiations shocked me the most since radiation causes cancer and if the outcome really wasn't any different...) Good for you! I think I would have made the same decision. :)
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #13
    missingtexas said:

    I think it's wonderful that
    I think it's wonderful that you've made that decision. Wasn't a choice for me, but I was recently talking to a friend who said that her recurrence chance was 8% but 7% with chemo and radiation. I was shocked she chose to do both, let alone one. (the radiations shocked me the most since radiation causes cancer and if the outcome really wasn't any different...) Good for you! I think I would have made the same decision. :)

    I know your decision wasn't
    I know your decision wasn't easy. I am glad that you are doing what you feel is right!


    Hugs, Megan
  • shelbyhome
    shelbyhome Member Posts: 145
    #14
    Keely,
    First of all I
    Keely,

    First of all I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy and then I started with Arimidex and due to different things I am now on Aromasin.
    I had some other reasons that I did what I did.
    I don't think that any decision is a bad one as long as you are happy with it.
    Where are you in Michigan? I live in Mid Michigan.
    We are headed for Florida soon for a few weeks.
    Hugs
    (^_^)
    Robbin
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #15
    shelbyhome said:

    Keely,
    First of all I
    Keely,

    First of all I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy and then I started with Arimidex and due to different things I am now on Aromasin.
    I had some other reasons that I did what I did.
    I don't think that any decision is a bad one as long as you are happy with it.
    Where are you in Michigan? I live in Mid Michigan.
    We are headed for Florida soon for a few weeks.
    Hugs
    (^_^)
    Robbin

    Hi Keely, I had the same dx
    Hi Keely, I had the same dx you had only mine was a couple of years ago. Stage 2A, HER+, etc. My oncoDX came back 18 (I had 3 tumors, so I don't know if all were tested). My onc felt like I might only need a lumpectomy and radiation, no chemo. However, bc was found in my lymph nodes which changed the picture. I had a masectomy, 17 lymph nodes removed, 11 had cancer. Had 12 chemo infusions, 1 every week for 12 weeks, Cytoxen and Taxotere and then 35 rounds of radiation. Put on Femara for 5 years. The docs couldn't agree whether chemo treatments would benefit me but I decided I wanted all that I could tolerate, agreeing with my surgeon. It was a long and rough road for about a year. None of us have a guarantee on what treatment will or will not work. We have to rely on our specialists for their opinions but we should also rely on our "gut feelings". You make the right decision for yourself, that's whats important. If I felt like I didn't need chemo, I wouldn't have taken it but I felt like I needed it. Best wishes to you.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #16
    shelbyhome said:

    Keely,
    First of all I
    Keely,

    First of all I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy and then I started with Arimidex and due to different things I am now on Aromasin.
    I had some other reasons that I did what I did.
    I don't think that any decision is a bad one as long as you are happy with it.
    Where are you in Michigan? I live in Mid Michigan.
    We are headed for Florida soon for a few weeks.
    Hugs
    (^_^)
    Robbin

    I never had to make a choice
    I never had to make a choice of whether or not to take chemo, so, I was lucky. I am just glad that you came to your decision and I know it is the right one!


    Hugs, Leeza
  • beachmom
    beachmom Member Posts: 50
    #17
    Thanks!
    Thanks so much ladies for the unending support on these boards! It is the right decision for me! Now onto the continuing reconstruction...
    Robin, I live in West Michigan. Love where I live, but really dislike winter! I will be a snow bird for sure when I can retire. Enjoy your Florida trip :o)
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #18
    beachmom said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks so much ladies for the unending support on these boards! It is the right decision for me! Now onto the continuing reconstruction...
    Robin, I live in West Michigan. Love where I live, but really dislike winter! I will be a snow bird for sure when I can retire. Enjoy your Florida trip :o)

    When do you have your
    When do you have your reconstruction? We'll have to get the pink bus out for you!


    Hugs, Kylez

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