Adjuvant Chemotherapy Decisions in Clinical Practice for Early-Stage Node-Negative, Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: Challenges and Considerations

Decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2-negative, lymph node negative breast cancer have traditionally relied on clinical and pathologic parameters. However, the molecular heterogeneity and the complex tumor genome demand more sophisticated approaches to the problem. Several multigene-based assays have been developed to better prognosticate the risk of recurrence and death and predict benefit of therapy in this patient population. Oncologists are often faced with the challenge of incorporating these various complex genome-based biomarkers along with the traditional biomarkers in clinical decision-making. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Breast Cancer are helpful in providing a general recommendation. However, uncertainty remains in the absence of definitive data for various clinical scenarios. This case report describes a postmenopausal woman with stage I breast cancer that is low-grade and ER-rich, and has an intermediate Oncotype DX recurrence score of 28. (JNCCN 2013;11:246-251)