Taxanes, abscesses and chemo flare?

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phet7178
phet7178 Member Posts: 74
edited July 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all,

I'm having neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a 4.2cm IDC. I have had 3x EC (the UK equivalent of AC) and 3 x Docetaxel (my 'T' arm). I just had the last on Tuesday. My tumour didn't seem to shrink much with the EC, but it responded really well to the first two Docetaxel - the breast softened and the tumour seemed to shrink to about 1cm (and was very soft and squidgy at that);

Since my last Docetaxel on Tuesday, my breast seems to have had a reaction - it has become inflamed, swollen, and it's like there's a six cm lump in there again! It's also painful and quite tender to touch. I went to the hospital yesterday, and they agreed I have swelling and inflammation at the Timor site, and they also did blood tests and found that my CRP was raised (an inflammation marker). This can be because of infection, and they have given me a course of antibiotics in case it's an abscess that has formed.

Has anyone had an experience like this, i.e. an abscess forming at the tumour site during neoadjuvant chemo and/or an inflammatory reaction to it? The doctor in the cancer triage unit yesterday told me he couldn't guarantee it wasn't cancer related activity (ie the cancer coming back!) but he doubted it and thought some kind of reaction or infection more likely. I'm so disheartened as I was very positive after feeling it shrinking down so much, and now my breast is swollen and hard again. I'm telling myself it is possibly my breast reacting to cell death or tumour necrosis (honestly I think the infection route unlikely, as I don't see how I would have gotten an abscess in there, but I guess they have to dose me up with antibiotics just in case). But of course I fear something more sinister. Any insight/experiences much appreciated


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