Experienced opinions please!

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susaninicking
susaninicking Member Posts: 142
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Experienced opinions please!
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  • susaninicking
    susaninicking Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    I am close to starting my chemo but today went for a second opinion at the big university hospital near us. We were actually really shocked when they recommended strongly a different regime than the hospital where I have had all of my previous everything...mammos, surgery, tumor conferences, etc.

    My first recommended chemo was FEC/Doc, 6 cycles, 3 weeks apart.

    The current is the E and C only from FEC and then Taxol. E and C in 3 cycles, 3 weeks apart and then Taxol weekly for 12 weeks.

    Has anyone had this 2nd chemo? They are firm that their numbers make them certain that there is a lower recurrence rate with this chemo than with FEC/Doc.

    Opinions? Thank you anyone!

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  • tisthyme
    tisthyme Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2013

    Hi Susan.  I had 12 weekly taxol.  It was the much-easier-to-deal-with-chemo, compared to the AC I had.  I had taxol first and it shrunk my tumor enough that I could not feel it at all!  Susan, would you mind telling us what the size of your tumor is and if there is any lymph node involvement.  This is a determining factor on deciding which chemo would be best for you.  You might want to get a third opinion for a tie breaker or you can make the decision yourself.   Good luck!

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  • susaninicking
    susaninicking Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    I do not mind telling anything about anything but all of my reports are in German and hard to decipher. One of my many oncologists told me that the tumors were 7 and 8 mm. Today's oncologist kind of questioned this. Only one of the tumors was invasive, the larger one, and for sure was Grade 3. No lymph node involvement. I've had a lumpectomy but we are also still fiddling around with this because one of the clips that was installed at my biopsy went missing after my op. We have been waiting until my breast heals enough to be mammogrammed....next week. If the clip is not in there and pathology, surgery and radiology all agree that they got my tumors then my chemo can start. If not, surgery again. It helps a LOT to hear that the Taxol was maybe not that bad to deal with. 12 weeks of weekly seems like a lot and for a long time. Are there nail issues? Other side effects you can tell me about? Thanks much

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  • tisthyme
    tisthyme Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2013

    Wow, a lost clip.  I haven't heard of that one yet.  I hope that turns out ok and that you can get on with chemo. Well your tumors were small and no lymph involvement is excellent.  You will find that most TNs are grade 3. Let's see, taxol side effects:  hair loss, runny nose that bled a bit every time I blew,  my finger nails did begin to lift, but none fell off totally, I began to get neuropathy in a couple of fingers and toes, but for me it did not last long, achiness in joints and muscles for a few days after, and fatigue.  I did have the taxol first so I was quite "healthy" at the start of it.  12 weeks is a long time, but for me it went by quickly.  Some people get taxol every 2 weeks for 4 treatments at a higher dose.  I found comfort going in once a week for my treatment to eliminate the cancer; once i switched to AC every 3 weeks I found I would get nervous waiting so long between treatments, but once the AC side effects took hold, I was glad I didn't have to go in more often. 

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited February 2013

    Taxol is a taxane just like Docetaxol; I am not aware of much difference (except there have been reports of D causing permanent hair loss in very rare cases) . There has been some evidence that taxol given weekly for TNs is better than taxol given triweekly; however taxol is rarely given triweekly, usually biweekly.... so that's not really meaningful. EC is very similar to AC though easier on the heart.They seem to be foregoing the fluoroucil in your second opinion... I am not sure why, but the combo of an A (or E) with a taxane is very common -- and probably the most important factor for TN. 

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  • susaninicking
    susaninicking Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    Thanks much

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  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,847
    edited February 2013

    Hello susaninicking,

    I have posted a detailed reply on my thread, Calling all TNBC patients in the UK.

    Best wishes.

    Sylvia

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  • InspiredbyDolce
    InspiredbyDolce Member Posts: 1,181
    edited February 2013

    Hi Susan,

    I love how your 2nd team is so confident that they have documented evidence to back up their decisions.  If this were me, I would believe in either treatment, but I like it when a team can show me solid evidence.  :)

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  • InspiredbyDolce
    InspiredbyDolce Member Posts: 1,181
    edited February 2013

    I was stopping by to post this for all of you ladies - there is a 26-year Survivor of TNBC that I just came across today on bc.org:

    Here is a 26-year survivor of TN! - She signs on every now and then to update us!

    community.breastcancer.org/mem...

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