TC vs. ACT in young women...looking for my best options!

Csum81

Well I just found this site after searching for hours and hours online trying to decide between two types of chemo options given to me today that I will be starting later this month. I wish (and I know there isn't) a quick way to insert all of the things about me to help decide which is the best option. My options: TC (Texotere/Cytoxin) vs. ACT (Andriamycin/Cytoxin plus Taxofin)

I'm looking to see if there is anyone that may have many of the same symptoms/stats I have and is going to/or has had either of the treatments listed above and the reasoning you were given for it...better outcome vs. the other etc... I appreciate your input!

Age - under 35 (or I'll take close to it!)
ER+
PR-
HER2-
Grade 3
Stage 1A
Oncotype Score: 30
Lymphnodes - 4 removed/0 cancer cells
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with some In-Situ found
Tumor size 1.2
BRCA 1/2 - in family - mine came back as a VUS...we're awaiting another panel of test to see if they can determine the mutation.

Again, thank you all for looking at this - if you have some of these symptoms...and especially are younger please let me know if you did either of these treatments/had the choice/and again, why you chose or were told to choose one over the other.

Thank you!!

iluvgsd5

I start chemo in a couple weeks and my Onc recommends A C & T. He said it was the best for all of my stats regarding cancer, (not sure what else to call them) For me, to pick what is best would be to difficult, I am putting my faith in what the Oncoligist feels is best.

If you go into "my profile" you can list all your symptoms/stat about your cancer.

KBeee

There's no definitive answer to what's best. There's a research study in progress comparing the two. I have done both because I had a recurrence. I am probably the oddball, but I tolerated AC+T better. The AC was tolerable if I kept up on antinausea meds, drank tons of fluids, iced my mouth during infusion, etc. I had no vomiting, and just a day or 2 of feeling yuk. I probably tolerated it better than most, but being young, you will likely tolerate it well too. The weekly Taxol was a breeze for me.

layle

I also had a tough time deciding. I started a thread call "TCHP vs. AC-THP?" and got some responses, you may want to look at it. Good luck on your decision. I don't know if I made the right choice but I ended up choosing AC-THP since oncologist recommended it due to the extra Adriamycin.

LM070917

I did ACT, it's a pretty full on regime but one of the most effective at knocking out any remaining cancer cells. My tumour was a lot bigger than yours and I had lymph nodes involved, so I wasn't taking any chances.i am 34

tangandchris

TAC here, 6 rounds total. I was given both options as well and then MO told me TAC was probably better for me. It's an intense regimen, but given your age you want to go hard against it.

debiann

Its my understanding that the "A" part can potentially cause some heart problems that show years later. You may want to consider your family history and risk for cardiac issues and discuss your risks vs. benefits with your MO. You can always get a second opinion too. Good luck. The decisions are the hardest part.

Nebraska917

I am 29 and wanted an alternative to adriamycin due to the potential of long term heart problems and second hand cancer - it can cause leukemia. I opted for taxotere and cytoxan. Got a second opinion and she said that TC has proven to be just as effective and less harsh and less long term serious side effects.

1cb

I was 32 and asked my med onc which is the most bang for my buck... if I was doing chemo, I was asking for the big guns... and she recommended AC-T as the most aggressive treatment... so I went with it. Tolerated it fairly well. Definitely used anti-nausea drugs, but overall, it was a (large) bump in the road. Be sure to ask about taking meds to help preserve your fertility/ovarian function if that's a possibility in your future... and I had regular echocardiograms to ensure no cardiac effects (all ok !)

good luck... it's a tough decision...

tshire

I was told that TC is the standard chemo for node-negative patients. I tolerated my 4 rounds quite well.