Fertility and TCH vs. ACTH

elawoo

I am 32 and will soon be starting a chemo and herceptin regimen, and I was wondering if there is a greater likelihood of infertility in using TCH (taxotere) as opposed to ACTH (adriamycin) or vice versa...I am also curious what the likelihood of permanent menstrual cycle cessation and/or ovarian failure (are these two necessarily the same?) is...Thanks. 

Nordy

Liz - I can't tell you if there is a greater likelihood with one over the other. I can tell  you that the closer you are to normal menopause, the more likely  you are to stay in it. I think 40 was always the magic number when I used to research... Over 40, more likely to stay in menopause - as chemo most likely will put you into menopause. Because you are on the younger side, I would think that you are more likely to come out of it, although there are no guarantees. I don't know too much about herceptin, however, so maybe one of the Her2+ girls can answer. Have you checked the website: www.fertilehope.org  They are a group that helps cancer patients at risk for infertility. My doctors gave me the choice of freezing some eggs just in case I didn't come out of "chemopause", but since my first born was only 3 months old and I had a really aggressive cancer, I did not want to delay treatment to do that. However, I WILL tell you that 5 months after my last chemo, I got my first period again. A year after that, I got pregnant (without any kind of fertility help) with my second daughter. She is now three... and my girl that was a baby when I was diagnosed is now 6. There is hope... and lots of it. Hang in there. 

Nordy

oops, sorry... I meant to put what kind of chemo I had! I had Taxol x 12 weekly, and AC dose dense (every 2 weeks) x 4. Oh, and I was 37 at diagnosis - so older than you!

Nordy

Arghhghgghhh! I had to sign in on a different browser so that I could copy and paste this link for you! It has been a long time since I was on Fertile Hope's website, and they have a LOT more information than they used to!

http://www.fertilehope.org/tool-bar/risk-calculator-women-type.cfm

I hope this helps!

elawoo

Thanks so much, Nordy, I really appreciate all your help!

sakura73

Liz

I had AC x 4 then Taxol x 12: also had Zoladex shots during the 6 months of chemo as there is evidence this helps protect from permanent ovarian failure. My period came back 6 months after chemo ended, and 10 months after that I was pregnant. I am now 20 weeks pregnant. I was 36 when chemo started and 38 now. The pregnacy occured naturally. You're much younger, the odds are certainly in your favour!

R

Raziela

Hi

I have found this study about AC/+-T vs TCH - as inducing amenorrhea.

http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/132540-144

Jugging by this atricle ... I think we have a winner.