Has anyone stopped chemo a few sessions early?

GinaDexter1982

Hello all,

My mom was supposed to do her 10th Taxol treatment tomorrow but she made up her mind to stop chemotherapy. The side effects have been doing great harm and she has severe neuropathy in her feet, her vision has become cloudy, and her sciatica nerve has swollen up to the point where she has to walk with a cane until the nerve heals. She had an Onctotype score of 36 and her cancer was deemed aggressive even though it was stage 1 with a 1.8 cm tumor that came out last November. Now she also flat out refused the Adriamyacin when it was reccomended to her by the two oncologists that she saw. The first one Agreed to her choice of sticking with just Paclitaxel and we powered forward. But the whole process has been plagued by side effects that have beaten the crap out of her and she made up her mind to stop three sessions short. She is meeting with her oncologist next week but I just wanted to ask, has anyone else stopped at this point? She's had nine treatments and she feels like she has done enough and wants to start the radiation and the aromatose inhibitors.

Jackster51

I'm sorry your mom is experiencing this. These side effects are to be taken seriously, and sometimes we know whats best for our own bodies. I'm not advocating either way, but in my opinion, quality of life is very important. Some of these side effects can be lifetime, which they rarely mention. I hope you and your mom and her doctors can come to a place of understanding. Wishing you the best.

illimae

I did not stop chemo early but I did have allergic reactions to taxotere and taxol before switching to Abraxane. Also, when neuropathy became an issue, my dose was reduced by 20%. Perhaps, there are alternatives that could be considered instead of stopping treatment completely.

kira1234

Unfair I did stop treatment early but not by choice. My breast surgeon refused for me to continue because of an open wound.

NotVeryBrave

I had a very frank discussion with my MO about stopping when I was only halfway done because of SE's and concerns about long term problems. His input - all of these treatment protocols are based on research studies. There's no way to know with certainty whether one individual needs 6 rounds or 9 or 12. They just go with what the studies showed.

Same goes for dosing. The recommended dosages are based on the majority of people tolerating that dose. Majority could mean only 51%! That's a lot of people who don't tolerate it. They had to decrease my chemo by 25% after the first round because of scary SE's requiring hospitalization.

Probably any chemo is better than none. Quality of life is important. I ended up completing my scheduled treatment because I didn't want to kick myself down the road if it came back. Your mother should discuss the options at that next appt. Perhaps they can make some changes.

TKDBOB

My wife had to stop her chemo after one round, side effects were horrible. Hospitalized two times in a week for fever, couldn't walk, sores developed in her mouth, down her tongue into her throat. Thrush and cold sores. Lips were swollen and bleeding. She was stage 1a with 9mm tumor and Onco score 31. She also has liver issues. Her Oncologist looked at her and said no more. That was 5 weeks ago and she has recovered enough to start thinking about hormone therapy and a radiation consult.

I've been reading up on the Onco score and have not been able to understand how a Onco score of 30 is intermediate and 31 is high risk of recurrence. How was this cutoff score validated? Seems like an educated guess to me. Can the science be that precise to determine the exact cutoff score? I'm not that concerned about reoccurrence, the vast majority of people with stage 1a BC never had chemo or have a recurrence and never had the Onco test. She is 64 years old. Her lumpectomy showed clean margins and being stage1a, no node involvement. The tumor was discovered incidentally from a routine CT scan for her liver. Although the Oncologist recommended the chemo. the breast surgeon recommended against it. I think he had the greater insight into the entire situation.

Bob

Miley37

Hi Bob, I can relate to what you and your wife are going through. I am somewhat similiar to her situation although Stage 2A and I am 56yrs old and lymph nodes negative, estrogen +, progesterone + and had surgery lumpectomy in middle of July with clear margins 2.3cm. HER2 Neg. I also had Oncotype DX result of 31 and was advised to have 4 rounds of Chemotherapy - Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide each time with the Dexamethasone, the Zofran, Stemetil, Grastofil x 7 days too. I made it through one chemo last week. Suffered a lot every day with sore throat, yeast irritation on skin at back of neck and genital area. Lots of aches and pains. Terrible bone pain for day 5 & 6 in lower back and hips. The worst was the acid reflux and severe abdominal pain and bloating. Cramps and spasms and No BM for 5 days. Fever last night and Spent 7 HRS at the Emergency this morning and had a CAT scan and was diagnosed with Acute Diverticulitis now. Still in pain and now 2 differentAntibiotics to take for the next 10 days. I've already lost 3kgs in one week. Treatment #2 is supposed to start then. I've decided it's not worth it but will discuss it with my MO. I've bought a nice wig and some head covers but haven't lost any hair yet. Sorry for sharing so much, but just wanted you and your wife to know your not alone and I understand - I said to my husband I think "quality of life" is more important than "quantity".

muska

GinaDexter, neuropathy should be taken very seriously as it might be irreversible. If she is having severe neuropathy in her feet she probably should stop taxol immediately. I was offered to stop after #9 or 10 when I noticed neuropathy was increasing despite dose decrease. You don't want her to end up with permanent neuropathy.

NotVeryBrave

Miley - I think your consideration of stopping chemo is a valid one. If you are at all on the fence however - I would ask your MO for some help with the SE's.

Zofran definitely causes constipation. I had problems with that from Compazine and then would have problems with diarrhea later. It became a balancing act of fluid and fiber and then Imodium.

You shouldn't have to suffer with pain of any type. Ask for something. Lots of people take Claritin while on chemo to help with the bone pain sometimes caused by the WBC stimulators, too.

And I had absolutely horrible gastritis and reflux - felt like my stomach was disinigrating - but the combination of Prilosec and Carafate made a huge difference within a few days.

I'm so sorry that you've been feeling so bad. I know it's really hard and we're all different. Just thought I'd throw in some suggestions but support whatever choice you make for you.

wrenn

I had an aggressive (triple neg metaplastic) and was cut off chemo after first infusion because I developed diverticulitis. I still have neuropathy but am still fine 4 years out. Ya never know.

Kicks

i saw my Chemo Dr before I went to my 10th weekly adjuvant Taxol (had done 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant) about how totally, utterly EXHAUSTED I was. He told me that he would put in that I could stop at anytime as so far the Taxol had done 85% of what it could do. That was not an option as far I was concerned. How could I face Hubby and Son IF I hadn't done in very thing possible to be at the Monster and it raised it's UGLY head again in the future? So I toughed it out and am glad I did. The past is done and every day is great to love.

(The OP has not been back here since Aug 20.)

MisterMan

I am on gemzar and carboplatin. Completing 5 of 6 treatments. My tumor visibly shrunk 10 days into first treatment. MRI after cy4 shows it is gone. My surgeon says I’m cancer free. My onc won’t use that term. His goal is to cure me. This 5th and 6th treatment is like “insurance” but I’m feeling DONE. questioning do I need the 6th? I had triple X. This is my 3rd time breast cancer. Was 19 years cancer free. Then 3 years cancer free after mastectomy. I’m healthy and fit - but not sure I can endure a 6th treatment. My side effects have been manageable until 5th cycle ( which was initially to be 4 cycles). Overall, I tolerated this cocktail well. Did not need to flip to taxol. Still have my hair. The fatigue overwhelms me - physically and psychologically. More nausea this cycle - seems body takes longer to recover between cycles. I will discuss with my onc how 5 vs 6 matters. If 5 is enough. Anybody thoughts or advise out tgere

Suslev23

have you asked to finish the last two with just carboplatin? I can just tell you that I was MISERABLE on gemzar and carbo... went to carbo weekly and it’s muhx more manageable.

Also as someone who is stage IV, I think if you can get through two more treatments it gives you a little more insurance!

Good luck!

MisterMan

thx for ur advise. I get gemzar today and neulasta device (which injects tomorrow). I will ask if skipping gemzar is an option - and what risks - pros/cons.