Anyone doing low dose Xeloda for one year after surgery & chemo?

Camama2

I was diagnosed 15 years ago with TNBC and had a lumpectomy followed by 6 rounds of TAC and 30 rounds of radiation. Then in April of 2020 I received a diagnosis of a new TNBC. Oncologist said it couldn't be a recurrence because I wouldn't have lasted 15 years without it flaring. Because I had my lifetime of Adriamycin 15 years ago (gold standard for TNBC) my oncologist decided to do surgery first this time to get the aggressive tumor out followed by 6 rounds of Taxotere & Carboplatin. In doing research to find out if there is any new treatment since my bout 15 years ago I discovered that since my initial diagnosis years ago the "standard of care" for TNBC has changed from what I had to chemo first then surgery & radiation. So because I had surgery first this time (due to my lifetime of Adriamycin) then chemo I didn't qualify for several things. I then discovered (in part due to a post on the breastcancer.org site) that there was a study released in May 2020 that fits my parameters exactly. My oncologist wasn't even aware of it and and first thought I couldn't do it until she realized that it was a Phase III study. She said that meant within a year it would be considered "standard of care" for my situation but I couldn't wait. So in about 4 weeks (enough time for IV chemo to be out of me) I will be taking Xeloda / Capecitabine at a half dose twice a day for one year. My oncologist said since I'm taking a low dose the side effects should be minimal, if any. The study reflected an increase in survival of 10-12%, which means to me that the potential benefit outweighs the potential side effects. Unfortunately I can't begin reconstruction while on Xeloda because I won't heal well so I will need to put it off. I'd rather increase my chance of life then have boobs! Wondering if anyone else will be doing this protocol?

NorCalS

Hi Camama2,

I am on my last round of Xeloda (6 months). I had residual disease after neoadjuvant chemo and lumpectomy so MO started me on 3000 mg of Xeloda after I completed radiation. I had read studies showing success with Xeloda after surgery. I’ve read other people’s stories on this website and I think there are several on the low dose one year plan. I started the 6 month plan with the idea that I would enter keytruda/pembro clinical trial after Xeloda but that fell through. My side effects at 3000mg daily have been manageable. However, I am glad that MO did not up my dosage as originally planned. If you are on the 2000 mg daily, it should be very manageable

mamaof4boys

I will be starting low dose Xeloda for one year after I finish radiation. My onc feels it will benefit me. I had DMX first followed by AC and Taxol. I’m hoping that because it is a low dose the side effects will not be as harsh

Camama2

mamaof4boys,

Good luck with your radiation! Maybe we can support each other through our coming journey, and hopefully have others join in who are doing the same treatment. I know I read some of the side effects of the full dose Xeloda and was not thrilled. But my oncologist truly thinks I will have minimal, if any. I'll be starting around Oct 15, 2020, how about you? When will you be done with radiation?

Laurie