Breast Cancer Diagnostic Test
What is Oncotype DX?
Oncotype DX is a unique breast cancer diagnostic test that examines the activity of 21 different genes in a woman's breast tumor tissue. The test measures the likelihood that your breast cancer will return and the likelihood that you will benefit from chemotherapy treatment.
What are the benefits of Oncotype DX?
Oncotype DX allows the patient and her doctor to better understand how her tumor behaves. This important information helps determine which treatment to use . Oncotype DX can increase con fi dence that the treatment plan is specifically designed for the patient. The patient can speak with the medical team to explain how the results of the Oncotype DX test can influence the planning of her treatment and be part of the decision to follow.
The need to plan treatment
After a breast cancer diagnosis, doctors and patients work together to plan an appropriate course of treatment after surgery. The goal is that breast cancer does not come back. A key step in treatment planning is determining the extent to which certain types of treatment, such as chemotherapy, will be of benefit to a given patient. Another step is to find out how likely you are that the cancer will recur in the future.
Therefore, doing as much research as possible about your cancerous breast tumor at this time can help the patient and the medical team develop a more informed treatment plan. To better understand the tumor, the doctor will evaluate many factors, such as the age, the size of the tumor, if the tumor has spread, if there are estrogen receptors and HER 2 receptors on the tumor cells. In addition to the factors mentioned, the Oncotype DX® test provides additional information about what is happening inside the tumor. The test measures the activity of different genes, of which 16 are related to the possible benefit derived from chemotherapy and the possibility that the cancer will recur. (Read Also: Genomic Test for Breast Cancer).
Do Doctors Recommend the Oncotype DX Test?
Yes, many do. In fact, the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is an organization made up of cancer experts who recommend how cancer should be treated.
These experts published a report recommending that physicians treating breast cancers consider the Oncotype DX test for patients with node-negative estrogen receptor-presence breast cancer.
Another leading group of cancer experts is the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), which also recommends that the OncotypeDX® test be considered in its 2008 breast cancer treatment guidelines. These guidelines are used by physicians throughout the United States. as an aid in planning treatments for women with breast cancer.
Since the Oncotype DX test was released in 2004, approximately 126,000 tests have been performed involving more than 8,500 physicians from 43 different countries. Those who have used it to help guide treatment. (Also read: What is Oncotype Dx? ).
Oncotype DX is the only test recommended in the ASCO and NCCN guidelines that predicts whether or not a woman with early-stage breast cancer is likely to benefit from chemotherapy. This information can help each woman develop a more personalized treatment plan with her doctor.
How is the Oncotype DX test performed?
The Oncotype DX test is performed on a small amount of tumor tissue removed during the initial surgical procedure or biopsy. This tissue is routinely stored and stored in the hospital where the procedure was performed. When the doctor requests the Oncotype DX test from his EP S , a sample is sent to the United States-California to Genomic Health®, the laboratory that performs the Oncotype DX® test. This means that the patient will NOT have to undergo a new intervention or any additional procedure to obtain the results of the Oncotype test.
When should the Oncotype DX test be done?
It is important that the physician order the test before starting chemotherapy treatment , as the test is intended to help determine whether or not the patient is likely to benefit from chemotherapy when it is prescribed in addition to hormonal treatment.
How long does it take to get the results of the Oncotype DX test?
Results are typically available within 8-12 days from the date Genomic Health® receives the tumor sample.
The results of the Oncotype DX test are sent to your doctor so that they can discuss them with the patient and answer all their questions (Read Also: Testimonials of Survivors of Breast Cancer with Oncotype Dx )
How do I get the Oncotype DX test?
The test can only be requested by a medical professional . We advise patients to hand over the brochures to Doctors and ask if the test could be beneficial in their case.