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Abbydog's avatar
Abbydog
Member
3 years ago

What are Ki67 and Oncotype tests?

I only have a vague idea about what these tests mean.
Are they blood tests or specimen results following surgery?
Or are they statistical analysis of family history?
I don't remember my Breast surgeon or Onco talking about or offering me these tests.
I've now had most of my treatment. Mastectomy with axillary clearance, Chemo and R/T. Currently on AI's.
I had Stage 2, Grade 3 hormone sensitive Ductal BC with 3 lymph nodes positive. Diagnosed Feb 2020.

  • Hi @Abbydog, the Ki67 is a pathology test on the breast tissue removed. Basically it is a protein and is an indicator of how quickly the cancer goes. A high Ki67 is a fast growing and high percentage of cancer cells in the breast tissue removed. I had a very high Ki67 result on my pathology report and hence chemo was recommended as part of my treatment.
  • Thanks Cath62
    It’s only for my curiosity. Is the Ki67 standard histopathology? My Dr never spoke of it. But I was told it was Grade 3, which I was told means the fastest growing from grade 1-3.  Maybe he simplified it for me. Thank you for your reply. I have not understood what other ladies have been talking about. I’m not unhappy about my treatment. Although not enjoying the AI’s
  • @Abbydog , I had a copy of my histopatholgy report and my surgeon oncologist explained it all.  I had grade 3 too. I am an ex nurse and my treatment team could discuss things in a bit of detail with me because of that. Maybe you Dr thought that they covered enough.  

    I didn't have the oncotype test, unless I wasn't aware of it. Its a predictor type test which gives an indication on whether the breast cancer is likely to spread elsewhere. 
  • Thanks. 
    I have a copy of histopathology. 
    I’ll dio it out. 
    Thank you
  • I had a high score ki 67 score it was 58% but oncoytype came back low score of 14 had to be over 25 to need chemo.

  • Hi @Abbydog
    The ki67 score is only one part of the puzzle.
    A lower score is better than a higher score just like a lower grade ( grade is 1 to 3) is better than a higher grade.
    Also being hormone positive or having HER 2 is better than triple negative ( as there are extra targeted treatments for the first 2).
    The size of the tumour and extent of lymph node involvement ( if any) is also important in deciding on treatment and prognosis.
    That is why it is difficult to compare with others and your specialist medical team will come up with a treatment plan tailored to your own individual circumstances.
    Take care 🌺
  • Hi everyone 
    I’m following this chat with great interest as yesterday I had my first post op follow up appointment- not with my surgeon but with one of the assistant surgeons. I had a lumpectomy just over a week ago.
    This was the first time the Ki67/chemotherapy discussion had come up for me as it was only something that had become evident post surgery.
    So my Ki67 score was 15%. I had an invasive ductile carcinoma stage 2, 17mm in size, Her 2 neg and hormone receptive.
    The doctor told me the MDT will discuss the result as they may recommend chemo - she told me it was because I was young (I’m 50) and it would be to stop a later recurrence…