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| 7/11/2011 | Hi Lillie, My mom just had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal on Friday and her Doctor said the tissue would be sent out for Onco Typing Score. I had a double mastectomy in April and was stage 1, Grade 2, clear lymph nodes 2 mm size tumor with DCIS. The DCIS is HER 2 negative, but the 2 mm invasive HER 2 Positive. My doctor never even mentioned the ONCO TEST. should I be concerned and insist that they do the Onco testing to help determine for sure if I need chemo or HeRceptin? One oncologist said no chemo, but HeRceptin. I am nervous now that I found out that the reason for the Onco testing is to see you chances of the breast cancer returning. Thank you once again for your time and help! | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 7/12/2011 | Thank you for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast center with your questions. The oncotype DX assay is to 'see' which patient may benefit from chemotherapy. Every tumor has it's own personality, so in female patients with stage 1 or 2, node negative, for ER positive patients, so the thought being a medical oncologist would be following patient for hormonal therapy as well. You could discuss with your medical oncologist the benefit of sending tissue for oncotype dx. Your medical oncologist would also discuss with you the issue of herceptin, as it works best when used in conjuction with another chemotherapy drug, and is indicated to be given initially with another chemo agent, not alone. So your mom just had a lumpectoy for breast cancer, and you had breast cancer several months ago. Concern would be possible genetic omponent to the breast cancers, so genetic counseling and testing seems in order. Again, both you and your mom should be followed by a team of breat cancer experts, including breast surgical oncologist, a breast radiation oncologist, and a breast medical oncologist. Hope this helps! We are a mouse click or phone call away. | ||
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