Private MD News
Home |
News |
Breast
Breast cancer test may allow certain patients to avoid chemotherapy
Updated: 2010-01-12 23:08:29 CST Category: Breast
by Alex Schoenfeld
A recent multi-gene test that can predict whether early stage breast cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy may have an effect on doctor's treatment recommendations in combating the disease.
The 21-gene test, called Oncotype, examines tumor samples and verifies how active they are. For patients with low test scores, chemotherapy can be avoided.
A study, led by Loyola University Health System Medical oncologist Shelly Lo, found that the test caused doctors to change their recommendations in nearly 32 percent of cases.
"This is the first study to show that results from this test simultaneously impact decisions by physicians as well as patients," said Lo. "We likely will see more tests similar to this one in the future."
Patients involved in the study reported that they were less conflicted about their decision whether or not to opt for chemotherapy and felt less anxiety about their situation. Doctors said that they would order the tests again in approximately 97 percent of cases.
"This test of patients' own breast cancer provides us with greater certainty of who derives benefit from chemotherapy and who can safely avoid it," said study author Kathy Albain.

Related Articles from Private MD:
Share on Facebook
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I
Allergy Testing
Anemia and RBC disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Bariatric Lab Testing
Blood and Blood Diseases
Breast
Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers
Celiac Disease Testing
Chlamydia
Coagulation and blood clotting disorders
Colon
Diabetes
DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing
Drug Screening
Environmental Toxin Testing
Female Specific Tests
Gastrointestinal Diseases
General Health
General Wellness
Heart Health and Cholesterol
Herpes
HIV
HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos
Hormones and Metabolism
Infectious Diseases
Infertility Testing-Male
Infertitlity Hormone Testing
Kidney Diseases
Leukemia and WBC disorders
Liver
Liver Diseases
Lyme Disease
Male Specific Tests
Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis
Organ Specific Testing
Ovarian
Prostate
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Thyroid Diseases
Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click
here to get started or call us toll-free at
1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist
you.