Chemo types

TAC chemo - every 3 weeks...6 rounds......

I was in a clinical trial.....other options for the trial were AC + Taxol (4 rounds each every 2 weeks), or AC + Taxol and Gemzar (I think the Gemzar was with the Taxol, but other wise same as just AC + T).  Assignment was randomized.

Merilee,

I am on a trial through Seattle Cancer Care.  The first 12 weeks were a combination of Taxol and Sutent (sinutibin) and the current chemo is 15 weeks of AC.  Initially I saw two oncs and they both wanted to do neoadjunvant because of the multiple tumors and the lymph node mass under my arm.  The cancer had change quickly in the last month since I initially felt pain and went for a screening mammo so they wanted to take the systemic approach first.  The Sutent is similiar to Avastin in that it attacks the vascular support to the cancer.  The overall goal is to kill anything that might have made it to the lymph nodes and beyond and then get a good reduction on the tumors in the breast for clear margins when I have the mast.

dlb823,

Can you post that link?  I would like to learn more about the targeted therapies.

I had 2 tumors totalling 4.6 cm. IDC and ILC. Stage 2 grade 3 er/pr + her2-. node neg. Treatment was mastectomy, 4xAC. Tamoxifen

I had 3 rounds of 5FU/Epirubicen and Doxitaxel followed by 9 rounds of taxotere. I'm now on Femara. I think oncologists choose whatever has worked effectively for their patients. As my oncologist explained it, "we each have our own blend of potions".

I will start in Jan with AC every three weeks for four cycles and then Taxol weekly for 12 weeks, then Hormone therapy. Is there an area here that talks about side effects ladies have had from the different combos of chemo?  I have heard the Adriamycin is really tough and then someone else said taxol was the worst for them.??

Still recovering from the bi-lat mx on Nov 20th.  Had three seroma drainings - may need one more.  Going well except the nerve pain - i wasn't prepared for how crazy the nerves have reacted.

cammy2, I am sure there is lots of discussion about SE's on the chemo thread, and probably elsewhere.  Hopefully someone who knows this site better can help.  You could try the "search" feature, too.  Sorry to hear that you have had the seroma problems after your bilat.  And nerve pain!  Are you getting help with that, exercises, heat/cold, meds?  Our bodies sure get beat up through all of this.   I had AC every two weeks so I could maybe help with that, but never had Taxol.  For me the biggest SE (not including hair loss, of course) was major fatigue and mild nausea.  I slept a lot, and didn't feel up to eating very much.  I remember crying all the time, which my chemo nurse said was partly due to the decadron.  It hyped me up, then I'd emotionally crash afterward.  Well, it was probably also me not handling this whole thing too well, either.  I enjoyed soups and toast, crackers, mild juices, and cooked veggies.  Once I started taking Kytril, about half way through treatment,  most of the nausea issues eased up.  The effects for me were cumulative, so that by the end I was really zonked!  I ended up getting shingles, which was treated and cleared up. Towards the end of treatment I got mouth sores, but it was also treatable.  I had a great response to chemo and I know many ILC women do.  

pt

I had AC-- 4 rounds delivered over 8 weeks.  I was able to work for the most part- and I have young children--- I was usually out of commission for about 3 days each time-not sick but queasy and not really feeling up to myself.

I am over a year out of chemo (finished on 2/27/09) and almost a year from radiation (finished 5/6/09) and I feel GREAT!!!   it does knock you down, but you will get back up.....

 why are you wondering? did you have an oncotype test?  You should really do what you feel is necessary--I did not want to do chemo but I could see that there would be a benefit for me.... my recurrence rate dropped from about 15% to 8% (or something like that).   

I had a strong and healthy heart going in and  was in excellent health otherwise, so I feel like I tolerated it well..... but as has been said, everyone has different side effects.

Happy to give more info if you need it.   

Treatment mastectomy, currently AC