TCH (6 cycles every 3 weeks) vs Taxol (12 cycles every week)

sid82

Hello Friends,

My mom is tested triple positive. She had her lumpectomy a month ago. Now I am working with doctors to finalize her treatment plan. Our regular doctor (oncologist) has suggested TCH protocol. Essentially, she has to undergo chemo for 6 cycles of Taxotere every 3 weeks along with Trastuzumab which will continue until 1 year. I visited another doctor to seek second opinion. He suggested Taxol - 12 cycles each week + Trastuzumab every 3 weeks until 1 year. He mentioned that this regimen will be less intense and is well suited for her condition. Now I am in a fix which one to chose. Any inputs on this will be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sid

MaineRottweilers

I've had both treatments. Taxol, by far, is more easily tolerated but does require a weekly investment of time. Taxotere (TCH), every three weeks worked really well for me with my stage II Dx, I was able to work but was down for four days after a treatment so I did miss some work. When I was Dx'd stage IV ( 18 mos later), I started on Taxotere (Herceptin and Perjeta no Carboplatin) and it was much more difficult, I'm not certain if the Perjeta made the difference, or my age, or just the fact that I was doing chemo again but it became so difficult that I was no longer able to work and eventually had to give up treatment and switch over to Taxol weekly. I am doing a great deal better on Taxol but still not back to work. As far as one working better than the other, I don't believe there is evidence to support the benefit of either drug over the other.

sid82

Thanks Maine. Looking for more responses so it can help me make an informed choice.

SpecialK

sid - here is some info on Taxol and Herceptin for smaller Her2+ tumors:

http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20140207-4

http://www.ascopost.com/News/10846

http://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-paclitaxel-trastuzumab-new-standard-care-treatment/article/401681/

Taxotere is a higher dose taxane, and when combined with Carboplatin can be more debilitating than a single agent regimen.  For node negative tumors, with a 1cm size or less, the more recent trend seems to be Taxol/Herceptin.

sid82

Thanks SpecialK. The links you shared are very helpful.