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Chan7's avatar
Chan7
Member
1 month ago

Grade 3 Oncotype Test Chemo decisions

Hi all,
I’m in the challenging time of making decisions about chemo and would love to hear experiences from others journey particularly with any similar cancer. 
I have had lumpectomy on left breast results showing- Stage 2A invasive carcinoma 25mm Grade 3, HR+ PR-HER2- with lymphovascular invasion but all 13 lymph nodes sampled as clear. 
I am 39yo and very active and healthy (apart from this)!

I pooled my savings to get the oncotype DX ordered- I am now waiting for results. (Still can’t believe we have to pay $5000 for this).

I understand the Grade 3 PR negative and lymphovascular invasion detected are likely risk factors that tip towards benefits of chemo. But I have been reading more about the effectiveness of hormone therapies like OS+AI and that perhaps I could avoid chemo. 

I will let you all know my score when it comes back- I hope it’s low but if it’s high I’m facing such hard decisions that any similar experiences may help!

thank you 

chemotherapy

14 Replies

  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    9 days ago

    Hi  good to hear of a possible grade reduction. I was stage 1A, grade 3, lumpectomy, chemo, radium in 2020. Then hormone suppression. Despite it all in 2023 I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). I threw everything at it and i was fit and healthy. Have no doubts with your treatment.  Throw everything at it now. While i an not happy having MBC, I am glad i threw everything at it initially. I would hate to have been diagnosed with MBC if i didnt follow my oncologist advice.  My question to you is, if it comes back with you be ok with your treatmenr decisions now?  I wish you the very best.

  • Carolyn2's avatar
    Carolyn2
    Member
    29 days ago

    Deciding on this test if I should do it or not. Hard decision 

    • Chan7's avatar
      Chan7
      Member
      29 days ago

      Hi Carolyn, Yes I know so hard to decide. I joked that my boob was off on an expensive holiday to the US without me.

      Not sure if you are into the science behind it all but I found this presentation really helpful 

      https://youtu.be/vLaXpvt0DV8

      All the best. 

      • Carolyn2's avatar
        Carolyn2
        Member
        28 days ago

        Yeah that’s what I said to my partner. Wish I could go on holidays instead. Have you got ur score back yet? 

  • Katie46's avatar
    Katie46
    Member
    1 month ago

    Hi Chan7​ 

    I was 50 when diagnosed. IDC stage 2 grade 3, 2cm, 1 lymph node positive, ER+ PR+ HER2 -. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and am now on letrozole, Goserelin injections monthly and abemaciclib for 2 years. I was diagnosed in October 2023.

    My oncologist strongly advised me to have chemo, mainly because of the high grade of cancer which put me at a higher risk of reoccurance. He told me even without the lymph node being positive he would still recommended chemo because of the high grade.

    I decided that I'd do whatever was recommended, throwing everything at it, and I'm comfortable with the decisions I made. 

    It's an overwhelming time with lots of things happening. Ask to have another chat with your oncologist, and speak to your McGrath nurse if you have one, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions to help you make these decisions. 

    All the best Katie 

    • Coosa2026's avatar
      Coosa2026
      Member
      10 days ago

      Hi Katie46​, 

      I am 62 and have been diagnosed with the same cancer as you. My Oncologist wants to do chemo first for my case. I'm so unsure about chemo so would love your advice please. They would be doing a 3 weekly treatment for 3 months. 

      Thanks, Jill 

       

      • Katie46's avatar
        Katie46
        Member
        10 days ago

        Hi Jill

        I can only say that I went with the advice given to me by my oncologist, he strongly recommended that I do chemo.

        I did 4 rounds of doxorubicin/ac chemo every 2 weeks, and then 12 weekly sessions of paclitaxel, radiation and I'm now on hormone blockers.

        If you are unsure, have a chat with your McGrath Nurse if you have one, mine were wonderful and happy to explain everything again. It's an overwhelming time, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.

        I found chemo was manageable, I avoided the worst side effects, and I got through it.

        All the best, Katie 

    • Chan7's avatar
      Chan7
      Member
      29 days ago

      Thanks so much for replying Katie,

      I hope you are well now as it sounds like you really have it your all!

      Im still waiting for Oncotype result due next week. However such an amazing thing happened yesterday. I went to discuss all the hormone therapies with my oncologist and we revisited my histopathology and in the last week the pathologists had reviewed the microscopic results and issued a supplement report that down graded the grade from 3 to 2! 

      Im hopeful this is a good sign the oncotype will hopefully come back low in which case I will likely opt for radiation and hormone therapies and not chemo. 

      It’s quite a rollercoaster of highs and lows so I am celebrating this new news!

      :)

      • Teta's avatar
        Teta
        Member
        8 days ago

        Hi Chan7​,

        I'd love to know where you landed with your results and decision. I'm in a VERY similar situation, with very similar results.

        I'm 47 and have Grade 3, ER+ PR+ , Ki67 20%, LVI present.

        Lymph nodes clear. 

        One of my numerous treatment options is pre-cautionary chemo, and I'm currently deciding whether to go ahead with molecular profiling. I feel that if it can prevent me having chemo (as I would prefer radiation and hormone therapies), it will be worth the cost. 

        I'm very keen to read which path you've chosen.