Oncotype dx testing and decisions made

Hello all of you reading!  This is my first post.  I am not new to the realm of cancer; my mother has had lymphoma of the stomach twice and has survived.  However, I am new to the realm of breast cancer; no one I know no one if my family has ever been diagnosed.

 

I will briefly update you on my journey.  I had my annual mammogram in November 2008.  I was asked to come back for a more extensive one and ultrasound becuase calcifications were seen.  This further led to a biopsy on December 22.  On December 29, I got the call that I have ductal carcinoma in situ that is estrogen and progesterone +.  A lumpectomy was scheduled for January 6.  The lumpectomy showed 1/2 cm tumor in situ with 5 mm pushing through the duct wall, thus putting me in the category of invasive also.  Lymph nodes are negative.  I was told my treatment would be radiation with mammosite for 5 days and then Tamoxifen for 5 years.  I have completed the radiation.

 

Then, an oncologist wanted to do the oncotype dx testing.  My score came back a 26...high gray area.  The nurse said the doctor will recommend chemotherapy.

 

I am very confused.  What is the chemotherapy for?  Are the side effects of chemo a smaller risk that a 17% chance I might get the cancer again in 10 years?  Have any of you had the oncotype dx with a reuslt in the mid-range and chosen not to receive chemothereapy?

 

If I choose chemotherapy, are their any regimens that do not cause hair loss?

 

Thanks for listening and replying.

 

Tigger1

I am interested in receiving the same information.  My diagnosis for invasive ductal carcinoma was received mid December.  I had a lumpectomy last Friday as well removal of the sentinal nodes.  I am waiting the pathology report so I do not have the oncotype dx rating or further information on the sentinal nodes.  They told my husband that they saw something suspicious in one of the nodes but they wanted to study it more before removing more lymph nodes.  I am anxiously waiting the results as I can't stand the thought of going back in for more surgery.  Right now the planned treatment is 6 weeks of daily radiation but I know the oncotype testing can change that.  I am curious also if anyone has chosen not to do chemotherapy and if there are other treatment options if there is cancer in the sentinal nodes. 

 I am 40 years old and a 2 year thyroid cancer survivor.  I have 1 aunt who had breast cancer at age 62 but that is it.  Very healthy family and I have always considered myself to be healthy. 

 How is your recovery going from surgery and radiation?

Best regards!

Everything went extremely well, and I am doing fine.  The radiation was 2x daily for 5 days.  My breast is a little sore, but overall, I feel great!

I lost my hair with adriamycin cytoxan and taxol

Did not with xeloda, avastin, herceptin, navelbine, gemzar, tykerb. Even though I am triple negative they tried some for her2 positive just incase some thing might work.

 

Now on avastin, levcovorin calcium, mitoxantrone, 5-fluorouracil and my hair is thinning but I have only had one  round. Next 3 days are 17/18/19. I also do no want to lose my hair because I also lose my strenght and I need to continue to work so I will have insurance!!!!!

 

 

A big factor in my decision would be based on the fact of whether you are HER/2 positive or not. If it were me - which it was 2 years ago - I was onco dx 32, estrogen postitive, AND HER/2 positive(nasty thing to be) I did go through chemo and 52 weeks of Herceptin... and am taking Arimidex for 5 years. My tumor (no family hist.) was 8mm - part invasive - lumpectomy, mammo-site radiation - clear margins. If you are Her/2 negative, that would be a harder decision. Have you read Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book? A helpful source ... especially when it comes to calculating "absolute benefit." Although chemo was extremely difficult for me I am sure glad being HER/2 positive I hit it hard a fast. I don't want the stuff back ... If you trust your Dr. I'd go with his advise - he sees more of it than we do! ... and good luck!

Her2/negative.  What kind of chemo did you receive?

Hi

 I had a lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer.  My doctor would like me to participate in a trial study which will involve oncotype dx testing to determine my treatment plan.  I will not be having radiation until this test is completed which will be done on Monday. The doctor said it takes at least 14 days to get the results and I am anxious and very nervous about receiving chemo. I hope I don't have to get it but she says that depends on how the results come out.  I guess I'm wondering why your doctor didn't test you first since it is to my understanding that chemo comes first before radiation.  I don't know what difference it would make. I'm just curious. The doctor said even though I'm early stage breast cancer, I still may need chemo.  This test will determine that.  The great thing about this test is that it will tell me how aggressive this cancer is and whether it is likely to return.  She did mention that by receiving chemo, it cuts the chances if cancer returning in half.  I'm still afraid of chemo and know how hard it is on the body.  Please keep me posted on how you are doing and if you will be receiving chemo. I need to know how you are doing physically and for that matter if anyone reading this that has had chemo could please email and let me know how they did on chemo and radiation. I have never been through this before and I'm very nervous about it all.

 Teene

 

On 2/4/2009 tigger1 wrote:

Hello all of you reading!  This is my first post.  I am not new to the realm of cancer; my mother has had lymphoma of the stomach twice and has survived.  However, I am new to the realm of breast cancer; no one I know no one if my family has ever been diagnosed.

 

I will briefly update you on my journey.  I had my annual mammogram in November 2008.  I was asked to come back for a more extensive one and ultrasound becuase calcifications were seen.  This further led to a biopsy on December 22.  On December 29, I got the call that I have ductal carcinoma in situ that is estrogen and progesterone +.  A lumpectomy was scheduled for January 6.  The lumpectomy showed 1/2 cm tumor in situ with 5 mm pushing through the duct wall, thus putting me in the category of invasive also.  Lymph nodes are negative.  I was told my treatment would be radiation with mammosite for 5 days and then Tamoxifen for 5 years.  I have completed the radiation.

 

Then, an oncologist wanted to do the oncotype dx testing.  My score came back a 26...high gray area.  The nurse said the doctor will recommend chemotherapy.

 

I am very confused.  What is the chemotherapy for?  Are the side effects of chemo a smaller risk that a 17% chance I might get the cancer again in 10 years?  Have any of you had the oncotype dx with a reuslt in the mid-range and chosen not to receive chemothereapy?

 

If I choose chemotherapy, are their any regimens that do not cause hair loss?

 

Thanks for listening and replying.

 

Tigger1

Hi

I am so sorry that I haven't been able to respond back.  I have already received 2 chemotherapy treatments and was in and out of the hosptial with an infection but now doing good.  I scored a 30 on the oncotype test and didn't have a choice.  I had to have chemo but doing okay. I still have 2 treatments left to do following by 5 weeks for radiation every day.  I was stage 1 with a 1.5 cc tumor no lymph node involvement but still needed chemo.  I was really hoping to get out of it. It will reduce my chances of the cancer returning by 10%.  My score on the oncotype test for reaccurance was 20%...that's just too high and I didn't want to take the risk of not having chemo.  I  do not want this cancer to return so I am doing everything in my power to prevent that.  I hope everything is going well with you. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. I'm sure by now you have learned about chemo, hair loss and everything else the doctor may have explained to you. Keep in touch.

 

Tina

 

On 2/4/2009 tigger1 wrote:

Hello all of you reading!  This is my first post.  I am not new to the realm of cancer; my mother has had lymphoma of the stomach twice and has survived.  However, I am new to the realm of breast cancer; no one I know no one if my family has ever been diagnosed.

 

I will briefly update you on my journey.  I had my annual mammogram in November 2008.  I was asked to come back for a more extensive one and ultrasound becuase calcifications were seen.  This further led to a biopsy on December 22.  On December 29, I got the call that I have ductal carcinoma in situ that is estrogen and progesterone +.  A lumpectomy was scheduled for January 6.  The lumpectomy showed 1/2 cm tumor in situ with 5 mm pushing through the duct wall, thus putting me in the category of invasive also.  Lymph nodes are negative.  I was told my treatment would be radiation with mammosite for 5 days and then Tamoxifen for 5 years.  I have completed the radiation.

 

Then, an oncologist wanted to do the oncotype dx testing.  My score came back a 26...high gray area.  The nurse said the doctor will recommend chemotherapy.

 

I am very confused.  What is the chemotherapy for?  Are the side effects of chemo a smaller risk that a 17% chance I might get the cancer again in 10 years?  Have any of you had the oncotype dx with a reuslt in the mid-range and chosen not to receive chemothereapy?

 

If I choose chemotherapy, are their any regimens that do not cause hair loss?

 

Thanks for listening and replying.

 

Tigger1

 

I was diagnosed in Feb with Stage 1 breast cancer ( 1.8 cmm and node negative) and just received the results of my oncotype dx test.  My surgeon told me it was intermediate but I was not expecting her call so I forgot to ask what the axact score is.  I am seeing the oncologist on Wed. and she has the information so I'm sure I'll find out then.  I'm not sure about chemo with my score but I want to do what I can to ward off a reoccurrance.  They say there is no evidence yet that chemo helps with those of us who have an intermediate score on the Oncotype dx test.  That's what I need to discuss with my oncologist. I have made some lifestyle changes as my cancer is estrogen positive.  I only eat organic foods and meats, eat lots of fish and have scheduled daily exercise.  I always enjoyed my red wine and have cut that out because I read that that can increase estrogent.  I am 58 years old so my own production of estrogen should be low. 

By the way, I have been attending Bernie Siegel's ECaP meetings in Woodbridge, CT and recommend them to anyone with cancer.  He wrote several books (Love, Medicine & Miracles for one) so check him out.  He has meetings in several states.  If you go on the web, you can find what's available in your area.  He also has a retreat in Pa.

 I would love to hear from anyone who had an intermediate score on their Oncotype dx test and what they decided to do for treatment.

Thanks and God bless!