Doxetaxel Doxorubicin (AT) 4 Cycles

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Kinnie88
Kinnie88 Member Posts: 9
edited May 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer in November. November 18, 2016 I had Breast Conserving Surgery at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand. The pathologist results were ER+HER-, grade 2, T2N1M0. The lump was 2.5 CM and 2 lymph nodes positive. I saw a Medical Oncologist in Thailand and he stated only 4 cycles of Chemo base on research studies. Then followed by Tomotherapy for 6 weeks 5 days a week and going on Tamoxifin daily for 5 years. I decided to do my Chemo in my home country of the Philippines. The Medical Oncologist concurred with the protocol but wanted 6 cycles not 4. I just finished my 4th cycle and I feel terrible. I did noticed that the Dr in the Philippines IV assignment for all 4 cycles was 100MG of Docetaxel and 50MG of Doxorubicin. The Docetaxel of 100MG is higher than FDA recommended of 75MG. This why I think I am having such severe side effects. I also found some research by Dr. Shulman stating 4 cycles is adequate and over 4 cycles does not provide a significant benefit. Please provide comments, thank you!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    Hi Kinnie88,

    Welcome to the BCO community!

    Sorry that your diagnosis brought you here but we're super glad that you found us.

    Hopefully you will receive some responses soon from our knowledgable and compassionate members.

    You may also like to join the February chemo group in the link below:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...

    Wishing you well,

    The Moderators.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2017

    Bumping for our new member Kinnie! Anybody has some insight or experience to share? Thank you!

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  • VLevic
    VLevic Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2017

    I'm posting for the first time here but have been a member since I was diagnosed from a Stage 0 to Stage 2B which is like yours on my left breast. However, I have what I call a "cocktail" of the carcinomas, I have the IDC and ILC as well as the ALH with 1 lymph node involvement . I am a healthcare professional and work in Houston, Texas close to the world renown Texas Medical Center. I chose to get my treatments done where I work which is Houston Methodist. I also happen to be an evidenced based practice/research based person. I like physicians who treats patients based on current research. Because of what I have, I chose to have a nipple sparing mastectomy with axillary node dissection. I currently have tissue expander on my left breast and just went through my first chemo a week ago. I too have the Taxotere and Cytoxan combo. The plan of care of Taxotere and Cytoxan which I'm getting for 4 sessions only (every 3 weeks x 3 months) was made based upon my Oncotype DX score. Oncotype DX score is a bio-genetic testing lab that mainly gives you score for recurrence rate as well as if you are going to need chemo or not (you can google this). My oncoscore was 22 and since it was heading towards the 30s, my medical oncologist let me know that it is best to have a light chemo which is this two combination. She did explain to me the combination of Taxotere , Cytoxan and Adriamycin versus just Taxotere and Cytoxan. She read and gave me literature or evidence based of just using the two versus 3 which came out with the same outcome and lesser complications from Adriamycin. I know that the Oncotype DX genetic testing is very helpful in this decision making for treatment plan which is what you may have been missing from your treatment regimen. I know how you feel about the side effects. i just got over mine a week after. I didn't like the feeling of not being yourself, metal taste on your tongue, fatigue (which is the worst for me) as I have 2 young kids plus the nausea and vomitting. I can tell you that in my mind, going through this that I will stop my chemo treatment just because I didn't like the side effects of it but I have 3 other co-workers who are currently undergoing and one just finished telling me to hang in there and at least I'm not taking the red devil ( Adriamycin). That I have it easy with these two combinations.Mind you there are 10 years younger than me and that is what I tell them. lol. I really can't tell you what is a good frequency or sessions for you (4 versus 6) but if you can get if it's not too late, to do an Oncotype DX testing, that will help you a lot. It is early morning here and I will post back to you my dosage of Taxo and Cytoxan once I look for it on my health portal.

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  • VLevic
    VLevic Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2017

    I'm posting for the first time here but have been a member since I was diagnosed from a Stage 0 to Stage 2B which is like yours on my left breast. However, I have what I call a "cocktail" of the carcinomas, I have the IDC and ILC as well as the ALH with 1 lymph node involvement . I am a healthcare professional and work in Houston, Texas close to the world renown Texas Medical Center. I chose to get my treatments done where I work which is Houston Methodist. I also happen to be an evidenced based practice/research based person. I like physicians who treats patients based on current research. Because of what I have, I chose to have a nipple sparing mastectomy with axillary node dissection. I currently have tissue expander on my left breast and just went through my first chemo a week ago. I too have the Taxotere and Cytoxan combo. The plan of care of Taxotere and Cytoxan which I'm getting for 4 sessions only (every 3 weeks x 3 months) was made based upon my Oncotype DX score. Oncotype DX score is a bio-genetic testing lab that mainly gives you score for recurrence rate as well as if you are going to need chemo or not (you can google this). My oncoscore was 22 and since it was heading towards the 30s, my medical oncologist let me know that it is best to have a light chemo which is this two combination. She did explain to me the combination of Taxotere , Cytoxan and Adriamycin versus just Taxotere and Cytoxan. She read and gave me literature or evidence based of just using the two versus 3 which came out with the same outcome and lesser complications from Adriamycin. I know that the Oncotype DX genetic testing is very helpful in this decision making for treatment plan which is what you may have been missing from your treatment regimen. I know how you feel about the side effects. i just got over mine a week after. I didn't like the feeling of not being yourself, metal taste on your tongue, fatigue (which is the worst for me) as I have 2 young kids plus the nausea and vomitting. I can tell you that in my mind, going through this that I will stop my chemo treatment just because I didn't like the side effects of it but I have 3 other co-workers who are currently undergoing and one just finished telling me to hang in there and at least I'm not taking the red devil ( Adriamycin). That I have it easy with these two combinations.Mind you there are 10 years younger than me and that is what I tell them. lol. I really can't tell you what is a good frequency or sessions for you (4 versus 6) but if you can get if it's not too late, to do an Oncotype DX testing, that will help you a lot. It is early morning here and I will post back to you my dosage of Taxo and Cytoxan once I look for it on my health portal.

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