Hello everyone I’m quite new here and I wanted to ask if anyone has been in my situation or what you might recommend. I have ILC and underwent a mastectomy my tumor was 4.2cm grade 2 and there were 2/9 positive nodes. My oncotype came back as 5 so oncologist said no chemo. Does this sound right? That’s 10% chance of distant reoccurrence after 10 years.
Hi moonflower,
I had a similar diagnosis to you last year,had the onco test which came back at 7 so was given the choice of chemo or not, you do have a choice even if it is low, but having had chemo twice before I decided not too, as I didn’t want to put myself through the chemo again unless it was absolutely necessary!
I know how difficult it is to make that decision because at the back of your mind is always have I made the right decision?
If your oncologist hasn’t explained it in detail then you can ask him to explain why he has said no to chemo
I was given a choice even though my score was low but obviously I had the advantage of knowing what the chemo was like. This influenced my decision as adjuvant chemo and radiotherapy means basically up to a year of ill health and hospital appointments and everyone reacts differently to treatment.
You don’t say what follow up you have been offered if you are not been given chemo?
I was put on hormone therapy, have access to breastcare nurse team and I will be followed up with yearly mammograms.
So I would suggest that you ask the dr to explain his reason for saying no chemo, they have to give you an informed choice and weigh up the pros and cons of having chemo or not, also you don’t mention radiotherapy, was this offered ? Sometimes you can have this either as well as or instead of chemo ?
I doesn’t seem like he has explained all the options to you, as an alternative you should have a named breast care nurse who help you talk through the various options, write down a list of what happenst if? Questions to go back to your dr with!!
Anyway good luck with the decision making, I know how hard it is
Regards Chris
Hi Moonflower,
I’m sorry nobody has replied to your question yet. I don’t know if things have moved on for you or you’ve found answers elsewhere, and I’m a bit out of touch with primary BC treatments , but I am a little surprised there’s been no talk of chemo or radiotherapy. It’s possible they feel confident that everything was removed surgically, but if you’re unsure I would contact your team again and ask them to explain it to you again. Were you given contact details for a breast care nurse at the clinic? You could phone them, or the oncologists secretary, or if you feel your GP is clued up you could contact them and ask them to explain their understanding of the situation?
I hope you find some answers that will give you peace of mind
take care now
Jx
Hi just seen your post I know it was a few years ago now, but I’m finding myself if your position, IBC had masetomy, 1 lymph involved had further surgery for ax clearance 6 taken one was positive. So same as you 2/9 I have currently said no to chemo, just to radio and hormone drugs. Did you go down chemo route or not?
Thanks, hope all is well with you x