New here - question about chemo choices

eb1968

Hello, I'm a 49 year old, 6 year triple pos breast cancer survivor that is back with what biopsy pathology indicates is triple neg. Whoa and wow.

First time (in 2011), I was Stage IIIA. Did neoaduvuct chemo (TCH), lumpectomy/rads, full axillary dissection (I presented with a full node. 4/26 rads) Tamoxifen. Thought I was scott free after years of worry.

Fast forward (to 2018), at a reg mammogram, I had microcal and "area of density" in same breast totaling 0.8 cm, then biopsy which indicated invasive ductal carcinoma/TNBC/grade 3. April 9 had BMX. They checked my axilla and did not take more nodes. I'm healing well.

I want chemo and my onc agrees. Here's my question: according to standard of care (https://tnbcfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015...), there are two options, ACT or TC. The former seems longer (20 weeks vs. 12 weeks) and harsher (Adriamycin....).

Any pro's or con's to these regimes?

VL22

eb1968 - just unbelievable. My heart breaks for you. Cancer just sucks.

I’m sure you’re very relieved that it was found early.

I did ACT - yes, it is long. My worst side effect with the AC part was nausea, which I seemed to have worse than many women on my thread. Also, not wanting to eat and being fatigued. However, it was doable. I’m almost 4 months post chemo and feel pretty good.

Best of luck to you!!

eb1968

Thanks for your reply and glad you feel good now! Looking at your signature, seems like we have this in common other than the timeline or did the pathology change?

Did your onc discuss using the other protocol?

VL22

I was diagnosed ER+ per the biopsy . During surgery, a second tumor was found “hiding” behind the first and it was TN. My MO only suggested ACT, but when I looked at the NCCN guidelines for chemo TC was also a recommended option

eb1968

Thanks for your reply. Wow, "hiding". Dang, this crap is devious.

Trisha-Anne

eb1968, I feel for you - it's horrible finding out you have another bc.

I had triple positive bc in 2010 and did FEC-T and 12 months of Herceptin.

Five years and one month later, found a lump in my other breast - triple negative.

I did ACT - the AC part was hardest for me. Taxol seemed never ending and I had my ups and downs, but much easier than AC.

Chemo is all TN has to combat it. I'm two years out from chemo now, but don't think I'll ever "rest easy".

anotherNYCGirl

I, too, had er/pr+, then years later, trip neg showed up.

I was given AC/T, - had one dose of AC but with my daughter's wedding scheduled for just after the 2nd round, my onc opted to split the A and the C so that i would feel better for the wedding ! She was right, - I felt fine! I then had 3 rounds of C and then 3 of A, followed by 4 DD taxol.

( Taking Emend for nausea was a HUGE help, as well as claritan for neulasta side effects.) Not fun, but very do-able.

Hugs from NYC

VL22

I was just going through the TN thread and saw the mods posted an article 4/13/2017 about the “A” of AC chemo being recommended for early stage her2- BC. If you look at main TN thread it is top page 7. It is it’s iwn topic

Java4jo

eb1968

I’m also a 49 yo tnbc dx. Lumpectomy, re-excision (not clear) so looking at R side MX. They paused the surgeries after finding unclear margins to do chemo. It was to start almost immediately so I did the research and spoke to several of my drs. I chose to do TC due to the fact that I have a 15 yo and the risk of future damage (heart, liver),SE and new cancers with the A added were too high a risk IMO. Adding the other drug would be a more aggressive approach which I would strongly consider if this were my 2nd go-round.

I am on cycle 3 TC and will have my last chemo May 1st. I hold hope that no matter your decision it will be painless and SE free as much as possible. My thoughts are with you at having to go through this again.

Moderators

Dear Java4jo,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for your diagnosis and treatment but so glad that you reached out to our members to share your story. We wish you all the best with your treatment and hope that you will stay active here and keep posting. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you to navigate your way around the boards. The Mods

Meg101

For what it's worth, my experience with AC/T was good. AC was actually easier for me than Taxotere. I, too, worried about heart issues with AC, but thankfully I had no problem. I took Emend and Zofran for potential nausea. I was told not to wait until I felt nauseous to take the meds. I took them on time as directed. I felt a bit weak and tired at times with both AC and Taxotere, and my taste buds were off, but other than that it was very tolerable. Don't be afraid. These days with pre meds such as steroids, etc., chemo is very manageable. The worst part was losing my hair. I'm still vain at the age of 71.