Extra chemo after AC + T?

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Selizabeth12
Selizabeth12 Member Posts: 18
edited April 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My mother has been tolerating her chemo really well so far. I have made friends with a kind lady on here who had almost the same regime as my mom is having (AC+T) and she also had some extra chemo treatments after her initial treatment for her stage 3 cancer and is many years out doing well. When we asked my moms oncologist about adding extra to make sure everything is cleaned up all he said was "I wouldn't want to give her any more" and then changed the subject with no explanation. I'm wondering why? Should we go back in and press this issue harder? Visit with another oncologist? My mom only has 2, maybe 3, bad days each chemo cycle and her number always bounce right back to normal. He keeps telling her that she is doing great.

I know that the dense dose AC and T regime is third generation and supposed to be "the best" but... I'm just nervous that there is better out there. Or more to be added to make it truly "the best".

Has anyone else's oncologist added extra chemo for a stage 3 diagnosis? Anyone have any thoughts/comments/research? I'm just concerned that he brushed this off as no big deal, didn't give any explanation or anything at all.

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

    I know ACT is very powerful, and the AC can cause cardiac problems. You can only have so much. SOunds like this may be behind his opinion on more. I am thrilled she is doing so well!

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  • Selizabeth12
    Selizabeth12 Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2015

    I guess I should clarify, I don't necessarily mean more ACT but a different chemo added in while she's doing her Taxol or even after her Taxol.. Just to hit it with every type of angle possible, you know?


    By the way I like your screen name!! I have a shop on Etsy named MeadowlarkBlossom so everytime I see the words Meadow or Blossom it ALWAYS catches my eye (: I hope you are doing well!


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

    I was diagnosed with stage IIIa cancer and just did AC+T. I see that your Mom is ER+. Has her oncologist talked to her about hormonal therapy? That's an additional treatment that can help prevent cancer recurrence by getting the estrogen out of her system. Glad to hear she's tolerating chemo so well!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2015
    Is it possible that the other woman you mentioned is HER2+? In that case she would be having Herceptin for a year, total (generally). If your mom is not HER2+ it would not be offered. Chemo regimens are carefully calculated to balance benefits vs risks. It is powerful stuff and no matter how well your mom is handling it, more is not always better. I hope it all works out well for her.
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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    I agree. The other person probably had Herceptin and possibly Perjeta added to Taxol, but that is only done if hER2 positive.

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  • Selizabeth12
    Selizabeth12 Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2015

    She was ER and PR positive and HER2 negative. However her treatment was done years ago and the doctor has since retired or else we'd be road tripping his way asap! (; I don't want to give too much information away incase this person wouldn't like me discussing her details, but one of the additional treatments she had was 5 flourocil, I've read some good things about that online but it doesn't seem to be super commonly used anymore.


    Thanks everyone for your responses! I really appreciate it.

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