Understanding Ki67 index
Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October and had single mastectomy on 20/11. It came back as Stage 2A, HR+ HER- , grade 3, 2.7cm, no lymph node involvement, clear margins. Surgeon initiall...
Forum Discussion
Hi @HannahM
I was stage 2,grade2 with a low Ki67 ( 10 %).
The grade, stage and Ki67 are all different things.
My breast cancer surgeon who is very experienced said “ the higher the number ( ie:grade,stage or ki67 score,) the more we should worry”.
He also said ( about stage and grade) “ 1 is a choirboy and 3 is a bikie” - you would generally be more worried about the bikie but exceptions abound”.
There are other factors too and generally a patient will be discussed by a multi disciplinary team ( surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist among others) before a course of treatment is recommended.
So it’s hard to just compare yourself with another patient without knowing the full story.
But generally the higher the Ki67 score, stage and grade the more likely they will be to “ throw everything at it” , subject to any other overriding factors.
Also when an oncologist gives you percentages it also depends on your own “ risk appetite”.
I always ask my medical professionals “ what would you do if you were me” ( or if they are male , “ if it was your mum or grand mum “?).
But the decision is yours in the end.
Do you have a breast care nurse?
I have found mine very good at explaining stuff to me.
Take care.🌺
I was stage 2,grade2 with a low Ki67 ( 10 %).
The grade, stage and Ki67 are all different things.
My breast cancer surgeon who is very experienced said “ the higher the number ( ie:grade,stage or ki67 score,) the more we should worry”.
He also said ( about stage and grade) “ 1 is a choirboy and 3 is a bikie” - you would generally be more worried about the bikie but exceptions abound”.
There are other factors too and generally a patient will be discussed by a multi disciplinary team ( surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist among others) before a course of treatment is recommended.
So it’s hard to just compare yourself with another patient without knowing the full story.
But generally the higher the Ki67 score, stage and grade the more likely they will be to “ throw everything at it” , subject to any other overriding factors.
Also when an oncologist gives you percentages it also depends on your own “ risk appetite”.
I always ask my medical professionals “ what would you do if you were me” ( or if they are male , “ if it was your mum or grand mum “?).
But the decision is yours in the end.
Do you have a breast care nurse?
I have found mine very good at explaining stuff to me.
Take care.🌺