Tumor growing after switching from Taxol to AC?!!

CAmomof4
CAmomof4 Member Posts: 11
edited March 2015 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi All!

I've lurked around, mostly reading the Calling All TNs thread. Really appreciate all the people who post and help others.

I'm struggling with finishing my last 2 AC because the tumor seems to be growing on it. I did 12 weekly Taxol (plus Carboplatin every 3 weeks), tumor swelled a bit the first 2 weeks then shrank pretty well. My tumor was quite large when I started, and had shrunk by almost half by the end of the Taxol. Now, after a month on AC every 2 weeks, it's much harder again and feels like it's growing. Measurements are slightly larger, could be a similar swelling as the AC attacks it, but it FEELS like it's growing. It's achy again at the breast, and the shoulder area is achy too.

I discussed this with Onc at my last 2 appointments, but he believes after successful Taxol treatment, it wouldn't have started growing again so soon and it just reacting to the treatment. I have no problem finishing out the last 2 AC treatments, but am reluctant if it's not working. Would rather switch to something else and try for a really good response before surgery. Was hopeful with the good progress on Taxol.

Anyone experienced the tumor swelling or getting hard when switching from one chemo to the other? So frustrated...


Thanks,

Mel

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Comments

  • placid44
    placid44 Member Posts: 497
    edited March 2015

    During neoadjuvant chemo, mine appeared to stop shrinking, felt harder/softer, hurt sometimes. It turns out some of that was the tumor reacting because I had a good response to chemo (shrank 77 percent on final pathology at surgery). I did not have a perfect response/pcr. I was disappointed, but plenty of people do well without getting a PCR.

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

    Mel, try not to guess what is happening in your body with its response to the chemo. If I were to guess, it would be that the achy feelings you are having with the tumor is just the opposite, not that it is growing, but that the chemo is working and it is the cancer responding in a positive way. AC is a powerful drug combo, it will work! Hugs to you

    and hugs to Placid too

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  • CAmomof4
    CAmomof4 Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2015


    Placid 44 - Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me!  It helps to know that these changes could be positive, and may still provide good overall results. 

    Mel


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  • CAmomof4
    CAmomof4 Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2015

    Meadow - Thanks for the encouragement,  and the hugs! Much appreciated... 

    Mel

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  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 371
    edited March 2015

    Mel

    I am in agreement with the other ladies. Sometimes what you are feeling is the build up of scar tissue forming. I had the opposite experience. Had AC first and tumor began to shrink then did Taxol and didn't feel it was working. End of treatment had a scan and it showed it was still there (smaller but there) & instead got a pcr after surgery, it was scar tissue.

    Hang in there. Prayers, love & hugs coming your way.

    G

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