Shelby, I had a very similar diagnosis - 2cm tumor, infiltrating lobular, hormone-receptive. The only difference is, it was also in my lymph nodes, so I did chemo for that reason. When I had my diagnosis the Oncotype test wasn't available, so I didn't have the benefit of that information. But I believe that if I hadn't had any lymph node involvement, my oncologist wouldn't have recommended chemo.

Your Oncotype puts you in that gray area, as far as chemo is concerned. Should you? Shouldn't you? TOUGH question, indeed. As someone who did chemo, I can tell you that it was difficult, but do-able. What I didn't expect was the long-term (probably permanent) side effects. My eyes burn; my trunk itches; and though these aren't "typical" side effects, they happened to me. Also, I've had a tough time with "chemo brain" - memory and word recall. Sure, I can live with all of this, but it's cetainly affected my life; I feel like chemo aged me 10 years.

I think oncologists like to treat your cancer aggressively; it's only natural, given that it's their job to kill those cancer cells. But they also tend to - well, not ignore, but minimize the importance of quality of life. Sure, if you had a HUGE risk of recurrence, it's worth it to put up with possible long-term side effects to save your life. But 16% - hmmm... It's a numbers game, and a hard one to play, since you're playing it with your life. 16% chance of recurrnce is also an 84% chance you'd do just fine without chemo. Do you feel lucky? Unlucky? Are you a worrier, or a glass-half-full person?

Ovarian suppression is also a pretty aggressive move; it'll put you into immediate menopause, and of course that comes with its own range of side effects (mainly hot flashes, though also possible mood swings, and all the other symptoms and side effects menopause brings).

Me? I'm not a doctor, just a breast cancer survivor. But knowing what I know now, 10 years later (and knowing NOTHING about your diagnosis other than the info. you've given), if it were me I'd go with radiation and tamoxifen - no chemo, no ovarian suppression. I'd play the odds, and hope for a win.

But - bottom line - I think your best bet would be to get one more opinion (if you haven't already) at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. These are government-designated as being the best in the country, and they have the advantage of seeing a LOT of patients, and collecting lots of data on outcomes.

Yes, it's a lot of info. to process in a short time - especially when you don't understand the vocabulary, and you're making potential life-and-death decisions. If you haven't already, take a look at our treatment page for lots of helpful links around the decisions you're making now, and will be making in the near future. At the end of the day, you'll make the decision that feels right for YOU. And once you do - don't look back. No second-guessing, no "woulda, shoulda, coulda" in the coming months and years. Go forward believing that you'll be treated, recover, and remain cancer-free - because chances are, you will.

I wish you all the best - and please come back here whenever you have questions. We can help. PJH