1. The new genomic tests, Oncotype DX and MammaPrint for breast cancer, and Lung Metagene Predictor for lung cancer, can help find out if a cancer patient will benefit from chemotherapy (i.e. which patients are chemosensitive) or not, and if they do (high risk patients), further pre-tests can help see what treatments have the best opportunity of being successful. If patients are low risk, they do not need chemotherapy.

Hopefully, DiagnoCure's genetic test will go the way of Oncotype DX, MammaPrint and Lung Metagene Predictor, in telling physicians which high risk colon cancer patients will likely benefit from chemotherapy (identify patients who are unlikely to have a recurrence if treated with surgery alone) and which ones do not need to be unnecessarily exposed to toxic chemotherapy cocktails.

A number of surgical oncologists are on a campaign to encourage surgeons to obtain and analyze fresh tissues for both cell culture assay and genetic testing. They look at the results of these assays very carefully in the context of other known prognostic factors and often choose agents based on the patient's profiles. These are laboratory tests, used as a tool for the oncologist. The oncologist should take advantage of all the tools available to him/her to treat a patient.

Posted at 5:47PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Gregory D. Pawelski

2. As a breast cancer fighter (don't feel like a survivor) this sounds like a great test and right up my alley---if only I had insurance and wasn't at the whim of a hospital district charity hospital whose idea of helping is "the basic steps and no more". I applaude the scientists who spend years working these programs out. I only wish it were available to all women with breast cancer not just the lucky ones.

Posted at 5:16AM on Jun 17th 2007 by Cheryl L

3. Great information. Thanks


You may also find it useful to visit my website: http://www.healinginstitute.info

Posted at 2:36AM on Jul 3rd 2007 by pacy

4. I would like any information on the Anco type number range. My number is 12 out of a 0 to 100 range [I believe]. Apreciate any information before I recieve Chemo therapy.

Posted at 8:58PM on Jul 5th 2007 by Teresa Mascindaro

5. I am one of the unfortunate ones who received a high score of 49 on the Oncoype DX test. Where does that place me in 10 year survival rate and 10 year reoccurence rate with and without chemo? Before the test my cncologist had me in the "gray zone as I am stage one, clear margins, and negative nodes, and ER + with a good prgnosis, Now I feel like the wind went out of my sails. Any help would be appreciated.

Posted at 9:29AM on Jul 22nd 2007 by Judy Purdy

6. I'm 63 had mastectomy on 7/19/07 due to 2 tumors multi focal (IDC each 1.5 cm/grade 3)in right breast. Pathology was very good showing no other cancer in the breast, nodes clear, chest wall margins clear, no lymph/vascular invasion, Estrogen Positive, Her2 Negative, Ki67 Low, Pet Scan Negative. I had the Oncotype dx test done hoping for a low score to avoid Chemo. It came back 23 which is the grey zone. My Onco said it's up to me if I want to skip Chemo and only do hormonal therapy (Arimidex). Otherwise, she would give me a Mild Chemo and only 4 treatments. How can anyone make such a decision. Can anyone Help!

Posted at 4:40PM on Aug 11th 2007 by isabelle

7. As with any lab test, contact the lab that performed the test. They are the ones that would have the most expertise with the results. I wouldn't rely on just the oncologist.

Posted at 5:50PM on Aug 11th 2007 by Gregory D. Pawelski