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Information needed on Oncotype Dx

by Marti on 4/7/2008 at 6:38 pmin category Tell Your Story
I am now 11 days post-op from left mastectomy for invasive ductal cell carcinoma. I still have too much drainage to remove the JP tube. The staging cat scan came back negative but the bone scan indicated some kind of dense area in my back so now I must schedule a C-spine, L/S spine series and I still must have the MRI of the Brain already scheduled for 4/14. It seems every test leads to another and gets My anxiety in high gear again. My pathology report shows I am ER+, PR=, HERS-2 neg. But I have been reading about the Oncotype Dx gene assay…..who orders that?

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They only do the Onchotype test if you are stage 1 or 2, ER+ PR+ and node negative. If you meet that criteria you can ask your oncologist to have that test done. You don't have to wait for them to recommend it. They have to send tumor samples to a lab in CA. You should definitely check with your insurance about it because it is an expensive test (about $3,500) HOWEVER if you meet that criteria there is a big clinical trial called TailorRx that you might be able to be in that would cover the cost if insurance doesn't. The value of the test is that based on genetic testing of the tumor it gives your tumor a "recurrence score" which is a number that predicts how likely you are to have a distant recurrence of your cancer. That score tells your oncologist if you need just hormone therapy like Tamoxifen or if you need that plus chemo to reduce your risk.
by KS
on 4/14/2008 at 10:25 pm
My surgeon has ordered all the staging tests saying I need them before going to see an oncologist. It is confusing that the staging tests are not the same for every one. I have never had CT PET ordered. Good news, the areas on the bone scan turned out to be arthritis in my neck and lower back ( who would ever guess one could be happy with arthritis but given less good choices, I'll take it). The surgeon did not seem to get what I meant with the Oncotype test, I will wait on the oncologist for that. Thanks for the information.
by Marti
on 4/9/2008 at 11:51 am
Hi Marti, so I had my second lumpectomy a couple of days ago. Hopefully they got it all this time. My Onc ordered the Onca dx test. Go ahead and ask for your doctor to order it as it takes 12 to 14 long days to get the results back. These results will tell you and your doctor if you need chemo. I'm not exactly sure of the criteria to qualify for the test are you a stage 1? You can look up the study on the internet but don't read too much before consulting with your doctor. Your insurance also has to cover this test. Your doctor will order the pathology dept at the hospital where you had surgery to send the sample to them. The test is actually performed in Calif. You mentioned a Brain MRI. Who ordered that? How were your results from the C-spine? My onc only ordered a CT PET scan which does not include head, adomen only. Thinking of you...
by bebrave
on 4/9/2008 at 11:29 am
Your doctor has to order it. Oncotype is only approved for the FDA to help patients make treatment decisions, so if you want your doctor to order it, make sure you tell him/her why. I did not find out about this test until I had already started chemo, so my doctor would not order it, since I had already decided on treatment.

Good luck!
by LSNoe
on 4/8/2008 at 1:33 am

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