What Does the Oncotype DX Recurrence Percentage Include?

Hi Rebecca! Your Oncotype is just a percentage estimate looking at a population of patients that had standard of care treatment so that included radiation for some but not all. Most had Tamoxifen and not an AI so your MO is right that might mean your risk on an AI is less. When risk reduction is given for radiation it’s generally for reducing the chances of a local recurrence and not for distant recurrence which is what your oncotype report provides. So unfortunately you can’t really assume your % is less due to the addition of radiation. Hope that helps!

Thanks, that does help to clarify.

The confusion about what treatments are included in Oncotype DX recurrence percentages is very common, and it's understandable that different doctors might explain it differently. The test typically provides risk estimates based on specific treatment scenarios, but the details can vary depending on which version of the report and which specific numbers are being referenced. Since oncologists have access to additional clinical data and interpretation guidelines that aren't always clearly shown on patient reports, it would be helpful to ask for written clarification from the medical oncologist's office about exactly which treatments are factored into your specific recurrence percentage and how switching to anastrozole might affect those numbers.