Neoadjuvant AC+T response

patty101014
patty101014 Member Posts: 53
edited January 2015 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi all. this is my first post, I've been lurking for a while. I am currently undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple negative breast cancer. I finished AC two weeks ago and had an MRI, ultrasound, and mammogram this week. My breast surgeon estimated an 80% shrinkage with AC and is very pleased. The math on the before and after ultrasounds gives an 88% reduction in tumor size.

I did well with AC with pretty minor side effects, praise the Lord!

I am concerned about why we don't just finish the job with the AC? I asked both my MO and BS if they've experienced anyone having a tumor regrow with Taxol. The BS said he's never seen it. My MO said it would be very rare.

But I've read three stories on the web where it has happened... I'm scared about switching treatments when the one I am on is working. Any other neoadjuvant AC+T recipients care to share their stories. Did the tumor continue to shrink on Taxol?

I don't want to backslide when I'm *this* close.

Anyone here achieve a complete response via neidjuvant chemo

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Comments

  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,847
    edited January 2015

    Hello Patty

    I was glad to read that your neo-adjuvant chemotherapy has worked so well. If that were me I would go with what my oncologist has planned. They like to have a variety of chemotherapy drugs all doing different things. Taxanes (Taxol and Taxotere) are said to be highly successful in the treatment of TNBC for which there is no other treatment after chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. If you are not happy with Taxol, you might ask for Taxotere. I had this after EC and my oncologist told me she had chosen Taxotere rather than Taxol as it was less harmful on the heart.

    You might like to join the threads Calling all TNS or Calling all triple negative breast cancer patients in the UK. These two threads have a lot of experienced and informed ladies (and some men) who will be able to take you through your cancer journey.

    Remember that all breast cancer patients are different and what happens to some does not necessarily to others.

    Wishing you all the very best.

    Sylvia xxxx

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  • Gramof2boys
    Gramof2boys Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2015

    I had neoadjunct AC-T and had monthly ultrasounds done with tumor shrinkage noted on every one. I did Taxol and when I had my last ultrasound they couldn't see anything. When I had my mastectomy, I had pathologic complete response with no cancer found at all. I would think if your tumor continues to shrink they will continue with their plan. I'm not real sure they would do more than 4 AC treatments, since the Adriamycin is so toxic.

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited January 2015

    I only did taxol (Abraxane) and I'm NED.

    I'm quite sure that there are thousands more ladies who had successful taxol treatments than a few who had tumor growth on taxol.

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  • Redporchlady
    Redporchlady Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2015


    Patty - I finished AC in November.  I have not had MRI's or ultrasounds but you cannot feel any of my lumps in my armpit and my oncologist said that in my breast it feels reduced.   I started Taxol and Carboplatin in December.  I asked my oncologist and surgeon because he said this chemo was toxic on how would we know that the tumors would not start growing again.  Both of them said that Taxol has a different way of attacking the DNA of a cancer cell and to look at it as clean up of what could have escaped because I did have it in my lymph-nodes, not sure how many as I had not removed but my PET scan showed it.  I am actually getting the Carboplatin every 3 weeks and the Taxol for 12 weeks as we are hoping for a NED on the tumor in my breast and the lymph nodes.  He left the decision up to my husband & I on the Carbo because he said it could cause more SE's and possibly lower my blood counts that I would need transfusion.  We decided that since I was Stage 3, Grade 3 TN that we wanted to throw the kitchen sink at it in hopes that if I get a NED that my recurrence rate will be low.  I did sit by another chemo patient a week ago that was on Taxol only first, she was TN and her tumor continued to grow.  They put her on AC now - not sure why they did not start her out on AC but again like everyone said we are all different.  Best of luck because it is scary and it is ok to question our treatments. 

    Roxanne 

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2015

    Hi!

    I did dense dose AC (4 infusions every two weeks) + Taxol (12 weekly infusions) + Perjeta (4 infusions, every three weeks) + Herceptin (12 weekly infusions). My 5 cm+ lump disappeared, and my PET and MRI scans could find no indications of cancer. However, I will only be able to claim pathological complete response if my path report from my upcoming lumpectomy/node removal shows no cancer. Even if there is a tiny lump that couldn't be picked up on the PET or MRI, I would still consider neoadjuvant chemo to be successful for me. I should note, though, that I am triple positive, not triple negative, so I'm not sure my experience is very enlightening for you.

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  • Redporchlady
    Redporchlady Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2015

    Elaine,

    That is good news on your Pet & MRI scans.  Good luck with your upcoming surgery.  Do you know why they ordered a PET scan because when I get done with my Taxol/Carbo at the end of February I am to have an MRI and then surgery in March.  I am so ready for it to be March.  Influenza A is going around and we have had it at work.  I do not want any interruptions to my cancer treatments! 

    Roxanne

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2015

    Hi Redporchlady/Roxanne!

    I'm not sure why MO ordered a PET, exactly. I did have a node test positive for cancer, and there was concern about whether the cancer had spread, given that it's locally advanced (5 cm+). Hence, I'd gotten a PET scan before neoadjuvant chemo. That initial PET scan was then compared to the post-chemo PET scan to see if there were any changes. But, we had also done MRIs pre-chemo and post-chemo as well, and they pretty much said the same thing as the PET.

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  • patty101014
    patty101014 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2015

    Thank you so much for the responses. I am sticking with th plan and trying to have faith. I am sure, winningsofar, that you are right.

    I will say my first dose of taxol has left me incredibly achy, particularly in my knees... it it is nice to not have the AC nausea anymore.

    I so desperately want that complete pathologic response. Elaine, I pray that is the news you get.

    I am encouraged by the positive outcomes posted here.

    Thank you.


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  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 371
    edited January 2015

    patty101014

    I just received word end of December that I had a complete pathological response. Thank the Lord.

    I started out with a tumor just under 5 cm, no node involvement from my scans ( I was pregnant when I was diagnosed back in July). I did neo-adjuvant chemo 2 weeks after my son was born. I did dose dense AC every 2 weeks and then had a sonogram & mammogram. Those 2 scans showed the tumor shrunk & it wasestimated to be about 2.3 cm. I then did 3 dose dense cycles of Taxol every 2 weeks (I didn't get my 4th dose because my neuropathy was so bad). My Dr. ordered another sonogram & mammogram and it showed the tumor was now .8cm. I had my bi- lateral mastectomy on 12-19, nodes were negative but I had to wait for final pathology which I received end of December and to the medical teams great amazement there was no cancer!!!!

    I wanted to give you hope as so many other of these wonderful ladies have shared. Keep pressing on towards the mark. :-)

    Blessings

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited January 2015

    Patty - I had a large 6cm TN tumor which was completely gone by the time I had my BMX.  I also had approximately 3-4 lymph nodes involved when diagnosed.  I had 15 removed with my BMX and all pathology was negative for any cancer cells.  I did dose dense AC followed by Taxol and then had my BMX 8 days after my final treatment.  I'm over 4 years out from diagnosis now and plan to really celebrate when I hit the 5-year mark in September!  Good luck to you and all the ladies continuing to fight.

    Kathy

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  • patty101014
    patty101014 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2015

    thank you thank you thank you!

    I so needed to hear these positive stories. My first taxol treatment hit me very hard... I needed this to face the next one.


    Prayers for you both

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited January 2015

    Patty I found Taxol to be very difficult, hate to say that, but the outcome of a pathologic Complete Response from cancer, no cancer remaining, made it all so worth it. As the wonderful ladies above have said, the one two punch of AC and Taxol works. The Oncologists and doctors have figured out this combination works. And for that I am grateful.

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited January 2015

    Patty - Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  And allow your body downtime during treatment.  Keep drinking lots of water.  You can do this!!

    Hugs,

    Kathy

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