Chemo options in 2013 for TNBC

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Issymom
Issymom Member Posts: 264
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I am in shock. My best friend from High School just called to say that she has been diagnosed with TNBC.  That is not the shocking part.  The reason this was such a shock is that she is BRCA1+ and had a prophylactic double mastectomy in December (6 months ago).  That was after having a hysterectomy 6 months or so prior to that.  She thought she was doing everything right.  I know there are no guarantees but really.......  They found it when she was having reconstruction revision surgery.  A few days before the surgery she found a lump.  THey said it was a cyst and they would drain it during surgery.  She asked them to remove it because it might fill up again and she is worrier.  Turned out it was a 1.5cm IDC tumor.  Not sure about staging because they didn't do any lymph nodes as this was reconstruction surgery.

I am also BRCA1+ and was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago with TNBC.  I had a bi-lat mastectomy and AC plus DD Taxol (4 of each every 3 weeks).  Is this still the most common treatment for TNBC?  Trying to help her with the decisions ahead of her.  Wish we lived closer.

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    My treatment for TNBC was 4 rounds of AC, every other week (although I stopped at 3 because I came down with hand/foot syndrome), then 12 weekly rounds of taxol.  I have surgery next week, then I'm being told it will be about 5.5 weeks of radiation.  ((HUGS))  So sorry your friend is going through this.

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  • lololumpy
    lololumpy Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2013

    I finished chemo on 4/26 and am gearing up for radiation.  I had four rounds of AC every two weeks and four round of Taxol every two weeks.  I will receive 6 weeks of radiation.  Even though you don't live close to your friend, you will be a great resource for her as she goes through treatment herself. 

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited May 2013

    I had 6 rounds of TAC every three weeks and having 6.5 weeks of radiation.  I too am BRCA1 and TN so I certainly understand your concerns.  I am so sorry for your friend, to be as preventative as you can and get cancer.  You will be a good friend and resource for her.  So sorry!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited May 2013

    I had neoadjuvent chemo. 3 cycles of FEC and 3 cyles of docetaxol. I live in Canada and think it may be different. I'm so sorry for your friend to be going through this, you will be a great comfort for her, sending positive thoughts

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  • asj
    asj Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2013

    I also had neoadjuvent chemo-----6 rounds of TAC and am now doing 6 wks of radiation.  My best to your friend.  

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________

    DX 11/2012, IDC, 4 cm, Stage IIIB, Grade 3, Triple negative

    Chemo, Lumpectomey with full allixlary dissection 4/21, 6 wks radiation

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited May 2013

    How horrible was the chemo??? That's what in having!

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  • anamerty
    anamerty Member Posts: 195
    edited July 2013

    I live in british columbia and my chemo was 4 tx 3 weeks apart of taxotere and cytoxin (although could only do 3) mo said without it 40% chance to recur cuts in half with chemo ok so those odds are really high so why only those 2 drugs and why only 4 tx when it seems others get way more tx? I am also brca1.please does anybody jnow the answer?

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

    TC is a relatively common treatment for TNs, especially for smaller tumours with no lymph node involvement. I believe that whether you get 4 treatments 3 weeks apart, or 6 treatments 2 weeks apart, the overall dosage is similar. I don't think being BRCA+ affects drug regimen choices, but rather surgical decisions such as preventative BMx, which it appears you've had, and perhaps oopherectomy/hysterctomy at some point. You may want to put these questions to your onc.  

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  • Teddi
    Teddi Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2013

    I was just diagnosed with TN IDC breast cancer last month, stage II, 2.7 cm, no evident lymph node involvement in U/S or PET scan.  I'm going to M D Anderson and my treatment is Taxol infusion once per week for 12 weeks then FAC infusion once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks after which I will have surgery, the type of which will depend upon my BRCA test results which is scheduled to be done in 2 weeks. I'm very new to all this (this is my very first post) and don't yet understand all of the acronyms being used in the posts but I hope my information helps.  

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2013

    Hi Teddi, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. 

    In the Information and resources for new patients, and new members forum, (the first forum on the All Topics list), there's the Discussion Board Abbreviation Key that includes a helpful list of acronyms and abbreviations used in the boards.

    We hope you find it helpful. 

    ---The Mods

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  • Una2008
    Una2008 Member Posts: 35
    edited July 2013

    Hi Teddi...I was diagnosed in April.  I am also TN and amd having the same treatments as you at M D Anderson also.  I started chemo but then had to stop and do my surgery earlier than planned.  Back on the Taxol now.

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  • anamerty
    anamerty Member Posts: 195
    edited July 2013

    @luah yes I had the ooph 6 years ago as a preventative, at the same time my 3 daughters had pbmx, now witin a month and a half 2 of my daughters had the oophs, anx my 3rd daughter will be having it also but is 9 months pregnant with her 4th (having a boy) they alk are positive for brca1 .I have a son also but he hadnt wanted to be tested but is now rethinking.I know I shouldnt beat myself up but I do wonder if I had have had a bmx before this new primary tn if I would not have developed?

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    hey ladies I am in the same exact boat as you! I am at the same hospital and I have the same chemo plan. I met three other ladies in the ultrasound department at MD Anderson and they also had the same exact chemo plan as we all do 12 weeks of taxol and then the 12 week three and 1 FAC which I thought was odd. I guess it could just be in the Anderson's standby for like if you're a certain stage and or a certain amount of nodes or I don't know what it could be but I just think it's funny how there's so many people I ran across with the same exact chemo plan curious! Hey maybe they know it works?!


    I am nervous about side effects and how it's going to make me feel especially the first 12 weeks since that is like starting in two days. I have three daughters a nine-year-old a five-year-old and a one-year-old she just turned one on DeCember the 10th so my energy needs to be somewhat there. I broke M.D. Anderson's rules and I've already had my surgery both breasts removed and have expanders in. I didn't know that they wanted chemo before surgery because I hadn't even been to their facility yet the oncologist I and surgeon were not very happy with the fact that I'd already had surgery but what is done is done and they already laid out the course. Hugs and prayers to all of you I hope everyone does well with our beginning of chemo I am very nervous but I'll keep posting and hopefully it won't be so bad! You never know maybe one of us will run into each other and the chemo chair since it seems like several are at M.D. Anderson we might be sitting next to each other and never know:)

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  • candycandy
    candycandy Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2014

    Hello! I am just done with my Lumpectomy on Dec 16th. I am TN also and going to Chemo on Jan. 9th as first day. I am nervous!

    My chemo schedule is dose dense AC x4 biweekly and Taxol x4 weekly follows, then going to Radiation. 

    I heard some people go AC every 3 wks instead of every 2 wks. I am still very new to my dx so I am studying. My doc is on vacation until Jan 2nd. Meanwhile, if you ladies can tell me your experience and advise about being TNBC and Chemo and other treatment, I  may feel better next year.... Thank you.

    And A Happy New Year!

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  • Carren-LB-at-2-0-clock
    Carren-LB-at-2-0-clock Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2014

    Hello. I had my lumpectomy on Nov 26th. I am TN and need to start Chemo soon - deadline to let them know if I want to do it is Jan. 10th. My schedule will be 4 sessions - 21 days apart on TC. I see the RO on Jan 8th to see if THEY have plans for me too. Both the surgeon and Medical Oncologist stated that I DO NOT HAVE CANCER. Okay, so WHY do I need Chemo? From what I gather it is an 'insurance'. Has anyone heard of this before or know of anyone on this site that has had a similar situation. I am still planning on having the Chemo - even though it doesn't make sense to me; but then again I am not the professional. What are your opinions on this? The analysis that the MO did stated - with No Therapy I had a 48% chance of survival in 10 years with no recurrance; with Chemo - adds another 18% chance to be cancer free. Is TN something that causes or is more prevelant to become recurring? Do I sound as confused and I think I do? SillyHeart

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  • EricsMom
    EricsMom Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2014

    Hello Ladies...my understanding of TN is that it tends to come back (in the breast, liver and bones) more aggressively than if receptors are positive, the chemo/radiation IS to kill any other cells that may be cancerous at this point.  This is why we see our onc (for me will be every 3 months) until that 5 year mark so if something rears it's ugly head they can catch it!  Of course this is my understanding...lol. :)  It's all very Confusing...I just ask questions and/or look online like this website is awesome for asking/reading to try to ease my mind.

    I missed two mammos, was just too busy :( I found lump and it seemed to appear overnight.  Diagnosis Nov 20, 2013, Lumpectomy Dec. 9 pathology shows margins were too close so second surgery to remove more tissue was Jan. 6.  Barrage of tests...PET scan, Bone Scan, MRI and BRCA will be/are being done, so far so good.  Of course It's on my mind day and night of what's to come and I only pray I get through these next few months without too much pain/illness.  I'm very positive and I really think this helps...I'm having "fun" shopping for wigs, etc.

    I'm one week away (Mon Jan 20) from starting my first infusion (A/C x4 every other week and then Taxol x4 every 2-3 weeks then Radiation for 6-7 weeks).  This has been the hardest thing to swallow, thank goodness for my family/friend support!  Come on ladies...lets fight like hell to kick cancers ASS!!!  Singing We CAN do this.

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  • Phillygurl44
    Phillygurl44 Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2014

    did you get a port for chemo? I have small veins that typically don't do well with IVs.

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