What Chemo for ILC

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  • CrystalLocket
    CrystalLocket Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2009

    I'm having 4 rounds of TC every 3 weeks.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    I have ICD, stage II, grade II, estrogen & progesterone positive, HER2 negative.  Had a lumpectomy on February 27, 2009 and all margins were clear and lymph nodes are fine.  My team of doctors (breast surgeon / rad. & hem. oncs) decided to send my tumor for further testing-Oncotype DX to determine if I would have any chance of metastis and it came back intermediate, 18% of going somewhere else in my body within 10 years based on women with similar cancer who only did radiation and tamoxifen.  So, I will be starting chemo shortly - meeting with the hem. onc. this week to get plans in motion.  I am really nervous - mostly about side effects.  I will have 4 treatments, 3 weeks apart, through a port.  Can anyone fill me in on 1) does it hurt to have the port inserted?  2) how sick (nauseous) do you get?  3) will I be able to work on the other 3 weeks?  4) I know my hair will fall out - how quickly?  I will be getting it cut next week really short and will be picking up wigs from the ACS wig closet this week.  any help will be appreciated.  I've been able to handle everything else, but this is really getting me scared.

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  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 597
    edited April 2009

    I had weekly Abraxane for 3 months, followed by FEC every 3 weeks for 3 months.  Then I had BiMX w/TEs, found IDC in other breast.  Glad I decided on BiMX!  I'm now on Tamoxifen until I get my ovaries out, then Femara.

    Deen

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited April 2009

    I was stage IIIa ILC, had AC every three weeks x 4 doses followed by weekly Taxol x 12 weeks - - 24 weeks total.  Just finished 3/16/09.  Did pretty well overall; I'am almost 3 weeks "done" now and have some lingering side effects, but am feeling human again.  My oncologist wouldn't offer me the TC only option because of the large size of the removed tumor and + nodes / stage III disease.

    Like SherryG mentions we are v. fortunate to have the newer antinausea meds available now. 

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  • BWorrier
    BWorrier Member Posts: 58
    edited May 2009

    Could anybody tell me what CMF stands for? What's the difference between ACT and CMF?  I am so confused. Thanks.

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  • HensonChi
    HensonChi Member Posts: 357
    edited May 2009

    Well I guess i am a little different.  I had ILC that was HER+++  with one node so I received TCH and am now on Femara.

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  • BWorrier
    BWorrier Member Posts: 58
    edited May 2009

    Please, what does CMF stand for? what's the difference between ACT and CMF? Need your advise!

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  • ann-idiot
    ann-idiot Member Posts: 128
    edited June 2009

    CMF= Cyclophosphamide/ Methotrexate/ Fluorouracil 5FU

     Maybe this will help (if I can get the link to "link" that is)

     

     

     

    http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen

     
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  • CrystalLocket
    CrystalLocket Member Posts: 90
    edited September 2009

    Unique, I too have Ilc.  I went to a 'world renown' doctor and he gave me cytoxan and taxotere, four cycles.  He said I should be fine.  I had a heart murmur as a child and did not get the AC.  I am on femara for five years and have no side effects from it.  I do take calcium, vit.D and Cosaminds for bone health.  I think that may be why I have not had bone or joint pain.  Its hard, isn't it, thinking about everything and trying to figure what to do.  Everyone tells me to eat organic, Linda McCartney had a whole organic food company and she had breast cancer.  My Mom is 83 and hardly ate vegetables and fruit, smoked part of her life, eats sugar like crazy and she can beat me walking through the mall and never had any major problems.

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  • HensonChi
    HensonChi Member Posts: 357
    edited September 2009

    I was her+ with ILC so I had TCH and radiation.  Now a I am on Femara.

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  • delaine
    delaine Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2009

    Hi everyone

    My oncologist has recommended T/C x 4 for my ILC. I will start toward the end of this month. No appt. date just yet.

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited September 2009

    Hi Delaine,

    Bet you're glad to get the ball rolling with treatment.  Sooner you start, sooner it's over.  I hope all goes smoothly for you.  Please let us know how you're doing. G. 

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  • delaine
    delaine Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2009

    Hi Gitane

    I do have mixed feelings about getting started but wanting to get it over with trumps the fear part. 

    I hope it goes smoothy for me too and thanks for saying that.

    My daughter delivered her first child, our first grandchild, yesterday morning. They live in California and we are in Canada so I won't be able to meet the baby for some time and I am feeling a little weepy about that.  

    I do wonder why there is so much variance in chemo regimens. I hope the oncs. have it right. 

    Tomorrow I am going to look at wigs and hats. Having breast cancer keeps one very busy; I am always out of the house going to some medical appt. or other.  

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited September 2009

    delaine, congratulations on becoming a grandmama!  So sorry you aren't nearby at this very special time, but consider getting Skype so that you'll be able to see and talk to the new babe live and (almost) in person!

    Good luck with your tx.  I had 3xFEC and 3xTaxotere.  Wish I had known about this website at the start of my tx, but didn't find it until tx was over.  Consider joining (or starting) an October 2009 chemo thread and going through your tx with others.  I think it will help alot.

    Hugs, Linda

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  • delaine
    delaine Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2009

    lindasa - thanks for the kind words.

    We do have Skype and it will have to suffice for now. I have posted and do follow, probably obsessively, the Sept. 09 chemo thread.I am so grateful to posters for their knowledge, support and kindness. I was truly overwhelmed with my diagnosis but, as most of the posters said, you just have to take it one day at at time and that is working for me. 

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