Oncotype score

Oncotype Score
Oncotype DX is a test they do on 21 genes linked to cancer recurring within the next 10 years and how well it will react to Chemo. A low score - less than 19 means it is less likely to recur (in my case 9% with no additional treatments) and less likely to have the Chemo be beneficial. This is a fairly new and expensive test (thank god for insurance!)and is usually done on patients whose cancer is early stage, lymph nodes are clear and whose cancer is hormone receptor positive. Sorry for being long winded - I was glad my oncologist suggested it and that my score was low! Hope this helps.

They actually use some of
They actually use some of the tumor they remove during surgery - so no new pokes and prods. I liked that the best. Good luck - let me know how it turns out.

mgm42 said:

I Was in Clinic Trial for Oncotype
I participated in a clinical trial for the Oncotype test, which I believe is still ongoing. Tissue from a breast cancer tumor is tested. The numeric score will fall into one of three categories: low risk, moderate risk and high risk for recurrence. Scores which fall in the low risk range mean that those women will not require chemo, as it would not provide any benefit to them. In the trial, 50% of the women in the moderate risk were given chemo and the other 50% were not. The results of this arm of the clinical trial will not be known for several years (I think). For all those whose scores were in the high risk range, chemo was prescribed. My score was in the high risk range at a numberic 36 or a 24% chance for recurrence, and therefore chemo is prescribed. With chemo and 5 years of aromatase inhibitors, my risk for recurence is reduced to about 14-15%. That 10% reduction is significant. Needless to say, I had the chemo, followed by radiation because I had a lumpectomy, and am now on Aromosin. I no longer remember the numeric range for each risk category, but I'm sure that you can find those ranges in the ACS research base. Good luck. Marilynn

Where have you been
Where have you been Marilynn? I've missed seeing your posts. I hope you are well. Lili

Ltalcott said:

clinical trial still going on
I met with my medical oncologist for the first time yesterday, and the Oncotype DX test was a big topic of discussion. The trial is still going on, and I don't see any advantage to not joining. My husband and I are still discussing it.

0-11 is low risk, no chemo recommended. 22% of the cancers fall here.

over 25 is high risk, chemo recommended. 27% of the cancers fall here.

between 12-24, moderate risk. 44% in this group.

The moderate risk group are the ones the study is really about--those 44% are randomly assigned chemo or not, and then they are followed. The goal, I guess is to figure out where the real maximum benefit is--if your number is 14 vs. 22, what should you do?

There's no way I can look at a score in that moderate risk range and make an informed decision--no one can make an informed decision! I may as well let someone else's coin toss decide for me--and maybe I can contribute something the all the research (much of which I'm reaping the benefits of already.)

It will be 10 days before I know my number.

Lisa

I am in this clinical trial.
I am in this clinical trial. I joined because I hope that what they find by studying me and others will benefit my daughter, granddaughter and all the women to come. I had a score of 21 and like you said I don't know what my decision would have been regarding chemo. Yes, no, maybe so. It's a moderate number but leaning toward the high side. Before I was randomized I thought about what I would have chosen (chemo or not) based on this number. I am part of the core test group. I was randomized and will not be treated with chemo, just radiation and armidex. At first, I had misgivings because my number was so close to the borderline for chemo. Then I thought, well that is the whole point of this study and if it should recur I can do chemo then. And you are right that the information they gather from us will help to determine what treatment is most effective for those in the 12 to 24 range. I am sure that long ago other women opted for the lumpectomies as part of a clinical trial and look at what that has done for many of us. I feel this is our way to help in the fight against breast cancer. I had a bunch of blood draws (7 vials) that were sent to the research lab. Don't remember what for specifically but they have to do with future research and base lines I think. I just finished my radiation and will be starting armidex next week. We are waiting for the results of my bone density scan. I know that we are followed for 10 years and possibly longer so that is a big plus. And another good thing is that the testing is paid for and it is a very expensive test. And if you are in the low or high group you will know what treatment you should do and if like me you are in the middle, then it will be decided for you and it's as good as a coin toss because like you said how do you decide anyway.
Let us know what the results are and if you are in the middle group we can go through this part of the journey together.
Stef

Ltalcott said:

I don't qualify
Turns out I don't qualify to take part in the study because I have bilateral tumors. We will still do the Oncotype DX--I should get my score in 10 days.

And then it will be my decision. I don't think I could turn down the chemo if I'm in the middle group--reading everyone's experiences with the side effects makes them seem doable.

And as has been pointed out, wouldn't I be kicking myself if I had a recurrence after not doing the chemo? Three or four months--or the rest of my life?

Of course, not that clear a decision. But....I'll wait for the score. I'm not healed enough to get started yet anyway.

Lisa

Glad you are getting the
Glad you are getting the testing. That's the most important thing. I know what you mean about the middle numbers. If I wasn't in the study I think I would have opted for the chemo. 21 seems just too close to the high side. But if it had been 14 or 15 I probably would have skipped the chemo. I guess that's why I am glad I was able to do the study. The choice was random and I will be helping so in the future people that have these numbers will have clearer choices. Hope you have a little bitty number. Like one. One is good. Let us know what the number is and what you decide if it is a middle one.
Stef