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Breast cancer spread to lymph nodes. Would you choose chemo?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Dec 15, 2022 | Replies (49)Comment receiving replies
Hi. Initially it was stage 2a, then oncologist said stage 1b, low grade, slow growing. She said she didn't order the oncotype because it would be low and cause conflicting information. Estrogen receptor postive but not her2. She recommends 5 months chemo, followed by radiation-33 treatments, followed by removal of ovaries and endocrine therapy. I am so overwhelmed. She said because it spread to lymph nodes that is is safe to assume that it has traveled elsewhere in my body.
Replies to "Hi. Initially it was stage 2a, then oncologist said stage 1b, low grade, slow growing. She..."
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@kware75 and @auntieoakley the Oncotype is used for 1-3 nodes. Micro mets in one node isn't too different from lymphovascular invasion, which I had, and I did not have chemo thanks to the Oncotype.
If your doctor won't order one, I think a second opinion would be helpful.
How does your doctor "know" the Oncotype will be low? There is no way to tell in advance. Thirty percent of grade 3's have low scores and grade 1's may have a high score. Of course, most results are as expected but you cannot predict.
I know women who had a positive node and did not do chemo. It all depends. If you are making the choice, I have you have correct information to base it on.
I have never heard that if it makes it to the lymph nodes it has traveled elsewhere. I have heard that shows the cells "want to go somewhere" and have the capacity to travel, but not that they have.
If your cancer is highly responsive to estrogen, hormonal meds can help a lot without chemo. The Oncotype is really important to guide your treatment.