Oncotype Test

Hi, I have recently received oncotype results and as they came back in the high category I will be given the choice to have chemo…..I will be speaking with oncologist next week to get more info, but I think I will have the treatment if it reduces the possibility of any reoccurrence. It’s not something I thought I’d be facing as lymph nodes and margins were all clear after mastectomy so it’s come as a bit of a shock to say the least, have to say I really dread the thought of it, but am trying to think of it as a necessary evil…..take care x

Hi there,

it would seem that we are in the same boat regarding our treatment. I don’t want to have chemo as from all I have read it is pretty toxic and can damage organs and make you quite ill when it’s perage benefits are not high. I am also seeing my oncologist next week and my list of questions is ever growing. Please let me know how you get on and I will do likewise. Please do take care and best wishes x

That’s the worry I have about causing more damage! Will be interesting to compare notes next week….take care x

Just a quick one. I think that I am ahead of you with the oncologist as I have seen him once already. He took my oncotype score and worked out the different percentage benefits of each treatment so I guess that’s what you will be given. My score is 47 so I was just wondering what yours is ?The factors used are age, tumour grade and your ER and PR status. Hope that helps a bit.

Take care x

Hi Casput

I had the oncotype test and the results were 27- very close to the cut off, It’s different in different hospital trusts but for me I think they  had originally said that 26 or below no chemo so I did protest against having it for all the reasons you have mentioned.  
I was 39 at diagnosis, stage 1 Grade 3 Er+ HER2 - , no lymph node involvement and had a successful lumpectomy with clear margins so I was reluctant to say the least. 
However, I decided to endure it as felt that I needed to do everything I could to prevent a recurrence. I also hoped that being on the younger side my body was perhaps more able to cope with the chemo. I also requested the removal of my ovaries to avoid having the drugs to stop them working which they readily agreed to. Also had radiology and am now on Tamoxifen.

It is tough, but doable. I felt the takeover of my life with hospital visits etc worse than the ‘actual’ treatment and the time does pass quicker than you imagine it to.

A tricky decision that unfortunately  only you can make,  I wish you all the very best for your continued recovery 

xx 

Hi Beans79….I think I am heading towards feeling the way you mentioned I.e. to do everything to prevent reoccurrence…. I know it can be tough but I want to give myself the best chance of clearing this out!

wishing you well xx

Hi I am currently awaiting my results. I had theraputic mammoplasty on 3rd August. Can I ask was you given your results first and then advised it was sent for this test or did they send it for test and give you this result with your other results.  Many thanks and Best Wishes xx

Hi Shaz52

I believe they sent off for the oncotype test after my lumpectomy. I think this test is carried out if the need for chemotherapy is in question. For example if you have an HER2 positive tumour you would automatically be given chemo and so there would be no need for the test to be done.

Hope that helps 

xx 

I was informed after results from  mastectomy ( all clear lymph nodes and margins ) that next would be oncotype,..hadn’t heard of that before….I believe it’s beneficial when clear lymph nodes and HER2 negative…..but, don’t quote me on that!

Best wishes xx

Hi Beans79

i found your post interesting as like you I got my oncotype dx test result yesterday which is also 27/100 which is probably the most unhelpful end of the spectrum.

However I am 64 and this was a recurrence of cancer in the same left breast where I had a Mammoplasty in 2014. This time had a mastectomy on 1 July but they found cancer cells in my sentinel lymph nodes hence the choice of the test.  I know the benefits of having chemo are likely to be marginal for me and have had lots of tests confirming that the cancer hasn't spread anywhere else but the thought lingers that there could be cancer cells loitering. My oncologist has left the decision to have chemo or not to me and it is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do and have until Monday to decide.  It is only a decision that I can make but strongly leaning towards having it to try and prevent any further reoccurrence as Mrs Polly also refers to as I also want to give myself the best chance of getting rid of it all. 

Best wishes