Tax/Cytoxin/Herc. vs. Tax/Carbo/Herc.

SecretCancer

Girls -

 I had a second opinion from another oncologist that was not in agreement with my first oncologist.  My first opinion was 6x TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin).  The second opinion was 4x (taxotere, cytoxin, herceptin).  My second opinion was from a very famous oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania.  If anything, I thought he'd have the more aggressive regime, but he didn't.  He felt strongly that 4x Tax/Cytoxin/Herceptin was adequate.  EVEN, in light of my ridiculous oncotype score of 65!

 Please help!  Is there anyone out there doing four treatments of taxotere/cytoxin/herceptin ??

Kim

mbutterfly

Hi Kim,

You helped me so much when you replied to my post about having the high oncotype score too and I hope I can return the favor by saying I start my 4x Taxotere/Cytoxan/Herceptin tomorrow. My onc is nationally known like yours and is on the advisory board of this site so I truly know I'm in great hands. I hope that eases your mind...my first onc consult also suggested 4x but wanted to use carboplatin for the "c" instead. My second opinion (my current onc who is wonderful) suggested Cytoxan due to the very small but present risk of later leukemia with carbo. I was down with that. I'll take any reduction of risk anywhere that I can. My big thing with doctors has been to encourage them to think 10 and 20 years out for me, because I do!! I'm planning on being around. Our diagnoses are so similar, Kim. I know you will do wonderfully and rewrite your family history because you've got the jump on it this time, it's early and you have the very best meds on your side. I sometimes feel bummed about the HER2 but console myself with the idea that if I'd been diagnosed even a year and a half ago I wouldn't have had the access to Herceptin which is going to save our lives. 

Hugs and love and support to you on this journey - our big cancer adventure. Please PM me anytime - we're going through this walk together.

B'fly (Ms "51" onco)

MoonChild

Hi Ladies,

I had my first tx of TCH (Taxotere/Cytoxan/Herceptin) yesterday.  The first tx went very well - uneventful and no side effects with any of the chemo infusions.  Felt drowzy when Benadryl was administered prior to the final IV of Herceptin, but that's not a big deal...

I am taking Decadron today to hopefully head off any of the major SEs from chemo and feel pretty good.  A little flu-ish and a slight fever, but I'll take that over nausea and vomiting any day 

I had concerns regarding different opinions as well.  In my initial consultation with my local onc, she recommended 4x TCH and Cleveland Clinic onc recommended 6x of same tx. When I asked local onc about the difference, she said that even though I had a Grade 3/Nuc Score 8/HER2+ status tumor, because I am Stage 1 she felt 4x would do it and we do not want to overdo the toxicity.   She is 'the' breast cancer onc in this area and I trust her judgment, esp. now that I read your posts where your nationally known onc's concur with this course of treatment.

Best wishes to both of you - I will be checking back frequently to see how you both are doing as we are on the same course at the same time.

Take care,

MoonChild

mbutterfly

Hi Moonchild,

Congrats on your smooth first tx! I went one day after you and also had no side effects. I did pee at least 6 times during the night cause I was drinking so much water to flush the Cytoxan asap. (I set my alarm but it wasn't even necessary.)

I think you put your finger on it with the 'not overdo the toxicity' part. My guess is it's the node negative status that factors into the thinking of 4x versus 6x. The first onc told me that the only reason chemo was on the table with a 6mm, node-negative tumor at all was the HER2. My sense of the current oncology zeitgeist is it's heading toward reducing/eliminating excess treatment wherever possible rather than just trotting out the biggest arsenal. With all the different genetic test crystal balls, for the first time they have hard data who is likely to benefit - and just as importantly who isn't, and can be spared. So it makes sense to me that we are being given the 4 treatments. Good luck with the rest of your week and hope you keep feeling good and strong throughout. Take care,

B'fly 

mommomjuju

I will be starting Taxotere, Cytoxin and Herceptin in August.  The port will be put in on 7/31/08.  Does anyone have any pointers or what to expect.

KathyL

Hi all!

 I did 4 rounds of taxotere, cytoxan, herceptin starting Jan. 08, finished Mar 08.  I'm still getting herceptin every 3 weeks now via my port (a true godsend!).  I did not like chemo, but this regimen was doable.  I had two opinions on what regimen to do (one here in DE, and one at U. Penn) and both agreed this was the way to go.  Anyone who'd like to PM me with questions about the regimen, etc.... please do!  I've been in your shoes at the beginning, and it is scary.  But know you'll make it, and this regimen seems to be the standard.

SecretCancer

Hi girls!

Just checking in to give an update.  I had my first tx eight days ago and haven't had one single side effect.  Wait, I take that back....I had the metallic taste thingy going on but it only lasted 2 days.  Other than that...NOTHING!  It's not at all what I expected.  KathyL..do you have a delay in experiencing side effects after your treatments?  I'm guessing that my cell counts will just start plummeting now...so maybe that's when the fatigue, etc. will set in??

The one other thing that I noticed is that my hair feels sort of dead-like.  I can notice it when I wash it.  When its dry it seems lighter than normal -- like all of the normal moisture is gone.  Makes sense though seeing that I'm about a week away from the start of my hairloss.