Which Chemo drugs used?

Hello Noranelly



I had 6 TCH (taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin), and I continue the herceptin until I finish up 12 months.

Most common in the US for Herceptin positive (regardless of hormone status, stage I through III) is either AC-TH or TCH.

AC-TH is 4 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by four rounds of Taxotere and Hereceptin then Herception continued to complete a year on it.

TCH is 6 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin then Herceptin continued to complete a year.

Some doctors use Cytoxan is used instead of Carboplatin and sometimes Taxol is used instead of Taxotere.

AC-TH has been studied the most and is very effective but there is a small risk of long term decreased heart function and a very small risk of Leukhemia. TCH was compared to AC-TH in a large study BCIRG 006 - heart issues are less common with it and the heart recovers once the Herceptin is stopped and it doesn't have the Leukhemia risk. There was no statistically significant difference in recurrence between the two treatments. It is debatable whether the slightly better but not statistically significant recurrence with AC-TH outweighs the higher side effect risks with it or not and both chemos get used.

The cancer that they have located has been removed by surgery. Chemo needs to kill any stray cells that are wandering around so the number of nodes involved doesn't make much difference to the type of chemo. They need to treat the type of cell. There is some work going on to see if a lighter chemo will be good enough for early Stage I - node negative tumors less than a centimeter.

I had the exact same treatment as marjie FEC-D The FEC is fluorouracil, epirubicin, (RED DEVIL)  and cyclophosphamide, and the D- Docetaxol.... I  just finished my herceptin Sept 27th...... had follow up app yesterday, says all is well and see me in 6 months......

Noranelly - keep us posted on what your side effects are.  Everyone is different.  One of the most important things is to try and avoid mouth sores!!!  I rinsed my mouth with soda water every time I was in the washroom and I never had a single mouth sore.

You will learn to know your "cycle" - keep track of your temperature, drink lots and lots of water, rest when you need it, and stay positive ... seems like a long road ahead of you but it will be done before you know it (I used to hate it when people said that to me but they were right!).  Happy to help you anytime.....you are welcome to PM for info if you are more comfortable that way

Thank you for your reply, and good wishes. No, I cannot have any chemo.My white blood count was down to 0.5, even though I was on a shot to bring it back up. (A $10,000 shot!!)  I am now just doing the Herceptin every three weeks. My oncologist said that there have been no studies on Herceptin only, without the TX, so they don't know how well it will work. Only time will tell, I guess. I, too, am on Warfarin, hopefully just a few more months, though. Between the stoma and the Warfarin, my diet is extremely limited... At least, knock on wood!, I have had no bad side effects from the Herceptin. I am truly greatful for this. If you look around any corner, you can always find someone worse than you are, so I try to be as upbeat as possible. Just thought there may be someone on the board that had taken only the Herceptin. thanks again, and best wishes to you.

Hi I Will Make It Thru

My neutrophils dropped to 0.37 after my first infusion of FEC but I had the Neulasta injection and then switched to Neupogen and the chemo continued!

Still here and recovered well after chemo.

However, I appreciate that everyone is different and you/your oncologist have your own view of the risk you are prepared to take.

I didn't realise that I could have been attacked by a virus when I went down to 0.3. Just thought of bacteria!

Best wishes

Alice

About a week after my first round of chemo in August 2011, I developed fever a chills, which I had been warned about, but I didn't call the MO until I felt so sick I could barely walk.  When I went in, my white count had dropped to .9, and my neutrophils were at .06.  I spent a couple of days in hospital, but I recovered quickly.  From then on, I was given a Neulasta shot to protect my immune system, and had no further problems.  I do remember at my consult appt being told to call in if my temp went above 100.5, but it was not emphasized why this is so important.  Lesson learned!

Ah yes!!  The fevers....Neulasta didn't work for me so I ended up having to learn to inject myself with Nuepogen daily for 10 days after each chemo.  Unfortunately, on day 7, every single time - fever & hospitalization - I actually had a bag packed because it was like clockwork.  My WBC would actually zero out and I finally ended up having to have a blood transfusion.  I was too wiped out to really care, but it was stressful on my family.

All that being said - it DOES pass. Herceptin was a walk in the park compared to the FEC-D.  Just more tiring than anything.