My IDC grade 2 2.7cm HR+ HER- lump comes out in 2 weeks. Will it be sent for oncotype dx test? The consultant said it might be at my diagnosis but he didnt say why or why it might not. Does everyone get this test? I would like it done if it can be.
Hi bluesatsuma,
Firstly good luck with your operation in 2 weeks, I hope it all goes very well for you.
Regarding the Oncotype test - it isn’t something that my hospital in the south of England offer. They offer one called the Prosigna genomic test. They only offered this to me when they gave me the results of the (negative - yay!) lymph node biopsy, 3 weeks after the surgery, but maybe this varies from one hospital to another.
Just remember to make a list of any questions you have for the hospital team, as it’s very easy for them to go out of your head during your appointment!
Best wishes x
Thanks @mir-ie
Maybe I’ll get that test? My consultant said my lump would be sent to America for a test but I don’t know which one.
Hi @bluesatsuma . My hospital does onco type but because my tumour was 7cm it was too large . Apparently the test only works if the tumour is less than 5cm. So they might be waiting to see after your op the actual size.
Wishing you all the best with your op xx
My understanding is that the oncotype test is only used when the need for chemotherapy on ER+ tumours is uncertain. So larger, grade 2-3 tumours with more than 2 nodes involved, it’s not needed, as chemotherapy is a certainty. Smaller tumours (under 20mm) grade 1-2 with no node involvement will not benefit, as radiotherapy is sufficient. Anything inbetween benefits from the test as the need for chemotherapy is uncertain. That’s what I was told. This is all after surgery once they know the full picture. Sounds like you will be getting the test, unless things are much better than they thought, which hopefully they are! 
Good luck with your op xx
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Hi,
I had grade 3 21mm er+ pr+ breast cancer diagnosed Sept 23, trestment olan was surgery first,then Radiotherapy followed by hormone suppressant treatment for 5 to 10 years.
After the operation the tumour is sent to California( lucky tumour) for testing which will give an oncotype score.this score will determine the best treatment plan for you.
Im over 50 so the base line for my age group is 26,my score was 28 so I was then offered chemotherapy before radiotherapy.You will be shown how each treatment can increase your chances of non reoccurrence and how much it increases your 10 year survival %.It is then your choice as to what treatment you want.
It helps ensure only relevant treatment is given giving you the best outcomes.
All the best.xxx
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Hi @copperycat. Thanks for your reply. I think my tumour is 27mm so should be okay in size maybe. I’ll have to wait and see!
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Hi @diddy1
Thanks. That is all useful info and my diagnosis would fit the rules for oncotye dx testing so fingers crossed. Good luck with your treatment.
Hi @Sparkle54. Thank you for the info. Hopefully my tumour will get to go to California then! May i ask what you decided to do with your score of 28? I am under 50 so my baseline is 16. Good luck with your treatment.
Hi bluesatsuma,
There were a lot of factors that led to my decision. The main reason was the very low benefit % which was calculated at 4%. I was officially cancer free after surgery as lymph node and cell scrape were cancer free, my 10yr survival rate was 71% anyway and radiotherapy would increase this significantly so going through 6 months of chemo and all the side effects for an extra 4% for me was not worth it.
My oncotype score was very near the baseline had it been higher and the % benefit higher I may have decided to got through chemo again.
I had TBBC in 2020,chemo was the first treatment then and it did exactly what we wanted it to do, it got rid of the tumour completely. But this time there was no cancer to get rid of it was just preventative treatment.
At the end of the day I made the decision best for me with all the facts and a little bit of bias from my 2020 experience.
What I really want to emphasise is that everyone needs to do what is best for them based on the advise and facts given by the experts.
We are all different and should respect the difference.
Wishing you well.
Take care
Xxx
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My grade 2 IDC 16mm with two lymph nodes involved has been sent to California as sits in the not sure group but I am 58 so older than you.
This only came up for discussion after two surgery’s and they had the full picture.
Take care
Xx
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@Sparkle54 I hope you are recovering well. I think I’d have done the same if it wss 4% too. Good luck and thanks for the excellent advice. X
Hope your operation goes well and you get the best result too
Xx
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I am from the USA and my twin sister had a lumpectomy back in May of this past year. IDC grade 1 HR+ HER-, no lymph node involvement. Over here, the Oncotype test is offered to everyone (well, everyone I know has been able to have it done). My sister’s came back as a Zero!! The oncologist said that in all of his years of practice, he had only seen this happen 2 other times. So she didn’t need chemo. But it is a really good way of finding out whether or not chemo will be helpful to you. I hope that it will be offered to more people in the UK soon!!
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Thanks @Appyartist! Thats encouraging. Bet your sister was thrilled with her zero! The oncotype dx is used by NHS but only given to grade 1 or 2, hr+ and her-, 2 to 5cm tumours. Fortunately (or unfortunately) mine fits that so i should have the test done. Fingers crossed for a zero too!!
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Yes, my sister was so happy to hear the news of 0 recurrance score! Hopefully your score will be low enough that you won’t need chemo either!! Fingers crossed!! <3
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