Has anyone done Taxotere after Taxol?

7of9

I have heard that Taxotere has similar side effects as Taxol which I did very well (and it shrunk the crap out of my original 2 tumors) with just 4 rounds after AC neoadjunct when first diagnosed. Now with a recurrence in axilla (10 positive - crap! I had surgery with 4 more nodes all around "clear" and fat tissue around clear. Clear scans. Since I didn't have rads from first diagnosis in 2012 (clear sentinal nodes was NOT correct I guess!) I did radiation after my axillary dissection and an oooph (I recurred on Tamoxifen so done with that and my ovaries). Surgeon and onc are optimistic but after doing radiation they want me to do either 4 rounds of Taxotere or 6 rounds of Xeloda. With the Taxotere I think I can take my arimidex 2 days before and after each treatment (it's still ER positive) but with Xeloda they say I wouldn't take it for the entire 18 weeks....not sure I like that. I also am aware that once you've had one type of chemo they like to move you a different kind and with Taxotere a "cousin" of Taxol there is some concern. I can't believe they are letting me choose. Anyone have experience with Taxotere working after having Taxol work too?

Holeinone

7of9,

I had one treatment of Taxatere 2 weeks ago. I did have 4 doses of Taxol in 2013. Dx Stage 4 about one month ago. So, I guess it did not work the first time, but my MO reminds me, I had 2 years NED. I had a lot of extra-nodal extension. I knew that made my dx more serious & scary

My MO said it was the best choice right now. My liver mets are innumerable.

Thanks for starting this thread. I am interested in what more knowledgeable ladies will post.

pebee

I did it the other way - I had four rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxin (sp?) before surgery. Then, they found cancerous cells in the ly4mph nodes so I did four rounds of AC after surgery. Then, 2 of 4 rounds of Taxol before my liver gave out.

I was told the same thing -that Taxotere may have shrunk the tumor but with it in a new location, new chemo....

NancyHB

I had AC-T four years ago, with DD Taxol. Had horrible SEs which were unusual, but I completed 6 rounds and had 4 years NED. Local recurrence a couple of months ago that's TNBC; first line of defense is AC-T but since i've already done that we moved on to 6 Taxotere and Cytoxan. Just completed my second round last week. My MOs biggest concern seems to be neuropathy; I have minimal from Taxol but am icing my hands and feet this time to hopefully prevent it. I'm not sure I had any other choices.

Sounds like a tough choice - has your MO provided any guidance in your decision-making?

7of9

Nancy,

My biggest concern is my GI tract as I have had ulcerative colitis (well managed thankfully) for over 20 years. Also permanent hair loss. Ok, ok....that is all behind the chemo working and preventing mets. I am not sure why my onc is only recommending 4 taxotere and did not mention cytoxin though wasn't that what we had with the adriamycin (sp?) - do they do it 2x? I meet with my onc tomorrow. My GI doctor did not feel my UC was worth considering but did mention some patients having to go to the ER for fluids with Xeloda.