New Test Allows Cancer Patient to Bypass Chemo

After receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer, many times treatments are based on percentages. With the new tool, treatment is based on individualized information.

Thursday, June 4th 2009, 6:24 pm

By: News 9


By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Cancer treatments are always evolving and the latest tool allows doctors to personalize therapy, tailored to each patient.

After receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer, many times treatments are based on percentages. With the new tool, treatment is based on individualized information.

Wilma Wamble has been in and out of the doctor's office since last fall, battling breast cancer.

"I remember going in Wednesday morning, finding out," Wamble said. "Took me a minute to process that. I don't think I heard it initially. I think I was staring at the physician."

After a lumpectomy and radiation, doctors, including her oncologist, Dr. Shubham Pant, had to decide what to do next.

"They would get chemotherapy in most cases," Dr. Pant said. "That's how, traditionally, we have done it."

There is a now a test, Oncotype DX, which allows for a more personalized approach to cancer treatment.

It uncovers the genetic makeup of a patient's tumor, determines the likelihood of recurrence, and whether or not the patient would benefit from chemotherapy.

"It already has made a difference in lots of Oklahoma's lives," Pant said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. We are just starting our journey toward cancer care, just tailored towards one person."

After analyzing Wamble's tumor cells, doctors found her recurrence score to be low.

Doctors decided to treat her cancer with hormonal therapy, bypassing the chemo.

Wamble has since recovered from her treatment. She said the Oncotype DX test has certainly made a difference in her life.

Learn more about the Oncotype DX test.

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