TC and Menopause

gildedcage

Hello!

After consulting with a 2nd and 3rd opinion oncologists I've come to the decision that I'd like to go with TCx6 over ACx4&Tx12. I forgot to ask one question of the oncologists I consulted and I was wondering if anyone around here came across some data that could help me or had discussed this issue with their own oncologist in the past. I'm 38 and was told that with the AC combination of chemo I would have about a 50% chance of pushing me into menopause prematurely. I know that TC is generally thought to be easier on the ovaries than ACT but does anyone have any information on TC used 6 times instead of 4? Is there a significant increase in the chances of being pushed into menopause by those extra 2 doses of TC? Since Cytoxan is one of the main agents that causes infertility, I'm guessing that there is an increase but I just don't know by how much. Thanks!

TifJ

Hi Gilded! I had only 4 rounds of TC and I believe I'm in permanent menopause. I started chemo Oct. 2010 and have not had a period since. I was 44 when diagnosed so my age probably has something to do with it as well. My onc. also told me I had a 50/50 chance of it returning. I am happy it has not returned as I am done having kids anyways (had my last one just before I turned 40!). The only real issues I have because of it are hot flashes and some body pains (which also are probably more pronounced due to my age-47). I think it is just a guessing game whether you will or won't be in permanent menopause after chemo.

gildedcage

Thanks for the response, TifJ. Unfortunately, my husband and I had only started to try to have children about 6 months before my diagnosis. I completed IVF egg retreival last week and it looks like it is going to be about 2 - 2 1/2 years until I'll even be able to have embryos transfered and try to get pregnant. I'll be 41 before I even get started. Talk about a life detour. I'm just hoping that I don't have to deal with menopause as well. All these tough decisions with no real answers, just probabilities. It's hard. 

LW0919

I was told going in that chemo could put me into menopause. I'm 41 and haven't had a period since mid February. I had 6 treatments of TC, the last one was on June 6th. I'm wondering if it will come back and when. Everyone reacts differently so there's no way to know. The uncertainty of it all and putting life on hold is the hardest part. Best of luck to you with your treatments.

mdg

I am older than you.  I was 45 at diagnosis and have not had a period since my first chemo in March 2011.  I was put on tamoxifen after chemo am still on that.   My gynocologist ran blood tests last year and I was in menopause.  I recently had my ovaries out and she said they looked like menopausal ovaries.  I am older though so maybe that had something to do with it.  Another thing I wanted to share is I had my son right before I turned 41.  Another close friend had her son when she was 43.  I have lots of friends that have had kids at these ages.   Sending lucky thoughts your way:)

gildedcage

Thank you to everyone who responded. I sent an email to the doctor who suggested TCx6 as the appropriate treatment for me and asked him the question I posed here. He stated that I probably had about the same chance of going into menopause with TCx6 as I would with ACT. So, like everyone has pointed out, it's just a crapshoot with a 50/50 roll of the dice. I'm going to do what I always try to do: hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I appreciate your time in giving me your experiences. 

TifJ

I hope it all works out for you!