Finally I have some choices for Treatment

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jkiss75
jkiss75 Member Posts: 20
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hello smart beautiful ladies,

I have to make a decision on my chemo treatment. I finally got to talk to my onc to get some questions answered.  After I pressed her a bit about the different chemo drugs she laid out 3 options:

1. A/C 2wks x4, Taxol 2wks x4

2. A/C 2wks x4, low dose Taxol 1wk x12

3. Taxotere,A/C (all at once) 3wks x 6

I just don't know what to do. I am getting a 2nd opinion, but I am really not expecting any new earth shattering revelations and I am sure the treatment recommendation is going to be the same. So ultimately my decision is probably going to come down to a personality contest and how far am I really willing to drive. I am just so frustrated and tired of the Dr. battle.

Anyway thanks for being here and for your support.

Jenny 

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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited December 2007

    Hi Jenny,

    I was a total sheep when it came to my treatment.  They said, "This is what you're going to do" and I said okay.  I figured they know what they're doing.  I know a lot of women on here research and get multiple opinions etc, but I skipped that drama and trusted the pros.

    My treatment was lumpectomy, 4 AC every three weeks then 4 taxotere every three weeks.  30 rads.  My onc said she liked to use Taxotere instead of Taxol because there was less neuropathy involved.  I had NO signs of that at all.

    I was very lucky with chemo.  I didn't even take the anti nausea meds.  I was not sick at all and worked full time through both chemo and rads.  Even at a three week interval, my white counts were slow to bounce back and I had to have the neulasta shot each time.

    I am 2.5 years out from diagnosis and it has all worked for me so far!  Try not to stress too much over your chemo decision. (easier said that done, huh?)  You will see that all of those choices you were given have been done by the ladies on this board.

    Just think, in 2.5 years you can be fat and sassy with a head full of chemo curls just like me!  ha ha

    Much love,

    Watson

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2007

    I suggest a second opinion. New studies have come out and some triple negs have dropped the andriamycin and are doing c and t together.

    One thing that seems to be certain...the taxanes seem to work the best on triple negs. I did AC dose dense (only had 3 out of 4 as I got sick) and then I did the 12 weekly Taxol. Taxol was a breeze for me after the AC. Basically no side effects. I had 33 rads following the chemo. Rads was easy, too. I was diagnosed about 2 years and 4 months ago.

    Today I feel fine.

    Be well.

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  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 1,574
    edited December 2007

    AC (4 DD) didn't work on my tumor...didn't reduce it in size, just a little in density.

    Taxotere (4 DD) reduced it in size from ~4cm to .2 mm.  I was offered the choice of Taxol or Taxotere. Taxotere is the more effective of the two.  Although I was hardpressed to find much information at the time, I've since read numerous good reports on Taxotere.

    I still had micromets in three nodes though after all that chemo. 

    Had the nodes out and did 4 carboplatin treatments (every 3 wks).  There's good information out there on the efficacy of platinum (carboplatin, cisplatin) therapies in triple negative BC.  I'd ask your onc about them.  I had to find a new onc at a teaching hospital to go down the carbo route as my regular wasn't up on the studies and said it wasn't warranted.

    Good luck to you Jenny.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    All of those look like the standard options offered.  My only suggestion is to do taxol in the weekly doses instead of dose dense every two weeks.  Its much easier to tolerate and the side effects are greatly diminished.  I'm a triple neg Inflammatory bc survivor and my treatment was 5 rounds of FAC every three weeks and then 12 weekly treatments of taxol.

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  • CaNatalie
    CaNatalie Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2007

    Hi Jenny,

    I just really wanted to second what Twink, Watson and Ravdeb said about the taxotere vs. taxol, the importance of the platinum's for us triple negatives and a second opinion.

    I went to a local Onc who recommended the SAME options as yours did. Then I went a 1 hour and 45 minutes south of me to a teaching hospital and the Carboplatin and Taxotere every 3wks times 6 was recommended. So, I know traveling for treatment isn't fun, but if it is the better decision for you it might be worth consideration.

    I ended up choosing the carboplatin and taxotere. I have done four tx and have two more to go. I have been really happy my decision. 

    I am also around your age (I am 27) so if you ever want to chat I sent you a PM as well.

    Take care,

    Natalie

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  • Sadie-Rose
    Sadie-Rose Member Posts: 222
    edited December 2007

    Hi Jenny,

    I just wanted to add my agreement with Natalie, Twink, Wastson and Ravdeb.  I had 3 rounds of AC and it did not reduce the size of my tumor at all.  Then I was switched to taxotere and carboplatin for six rounds.  My tumor got smaller.  I am now 4 years out from diagnosis and doing quite well.

    Sadie

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  • LaurieL
    LaurieL Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2007

    HI Jenny,

    I agree with the other answers too.  I did two cylces of A/C and it did absolutely nothing.  Had a bad reaction to Taxotre so I had my mastectomy and finished with Gemzar/Cisplatin for insurance.  I think the platins are better then the A/C.  Just my humble opinion.

    Good luck!
    Laurie

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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited December 2007

    Hi Jenny - our dx were quite similar (your tumor was larger but mine was multi-focal [2.5cm+.65cm] and BRCA-1 positive) and if you can believe it, I was offered ACx4 at first. After tactfully Tongue out saying that I wanted to approach this more aggressively, I was offered TACx6 by my 2nd oncologist (your option 3).

    My tumors were removed pre-chemo, so I didn't have the satisfaction some of the women here did of watching mine respond to the infusions. However, when my bilateral mastectomies were done post-chemo (due to BRCA+) all tissues (incl. 2 more nodes) came back free of any sign of malignancy or even cell dysplasia.Wink

    That said, even in the nine months since my chemo began, there has been real movement toward Taxotere and Cytoxan, or for Triple Negs., Taxotere and Carboplatin. If I were just starting now, I'd be campaigning hard for the latter, I believe.

    Best of luck to you on your next opinion. Why are you pretty sure it will be just like the first one?

    Lisa

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited December 2007

    I've just been diagnosed with lymph node mets (lungs) and after doing tons of web research on new treatments and clinical trials, I'm going with carboplatin / taxotere, at the recommendation of my onc.  He has given me the choice, and says there's no right answer, but from what I've been reading, the platinums are a great choice for triple negs.  I'd prefer using carbo alongside with Abraxane, but he won't do a non-tested protocol.  Originally I had A/C times 4, taxol times 4 (summer of 2005).

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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited December 2007

    Hi, I am a six year NED triple neg survivor. I did CMF in a study that had a stronger dose than normally given. They don't do that anymore now.

    Now, six years later, the very latest research is showing that triplenegs should do some sort of platinum based drug, either Carboplatin or Cisplatin.

    My onc is very well renowned and he only gives that to triple negs now. The trick is hit is hard the first time- it is the best shot we have. And since Tripleneg is so responsive to chemo and platimums seem to be the best at the moment, it is the way to go now.

    However, if you do not want to do a platinum based drug upgrade your taxane- taxol or taxotere- to ABRAXANE. It has been shown to be superior to its older counterparts.

    Good luck!!!

    g 

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  • jkiss75
    jkiss75 Member Posts: 20
    edited December 2007

    Oh Ladies, THANK YOU, I am swinging from the tree tops right now!!!!

    I just knew that A/C was not the best choice, I can't tell you why, but I just had a feeling. I now feel like I have spent enough time reading and absorbing all the fantastic advice on this forum that I can make a decision that I can live with and not regret.

    I am getting a 2nd & 3rd opinion 1 in Seattle and 1 in Portland. I am really leaning toward the 6 hour drive to Seattle as the bios of the DR's and ND's at the facility is insanely awesome! I can't wait to hear what there recommendation will be. 

    You babes really are the best!!!

    XoXoXo

    Jenny 

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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2007

    Jenny - have confidence that you will make the best choice for yourself.  I had dose dense A/C x4 followed by dose dense Taxol x4 and then 31 rads.

    I wish you well on your journey and keep checking in here - it is a wonderful place of support and love...

    -H

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  • Negative3Grade3
    Negative3Grade3 Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2007

    Hi, Jenny.



    Good luck with your second opinion. I did dose-dense AC followed by T (last one in January) and the tumor could not be felt after the 3rd treatment of AC, so ultimately, it is one's individual's response that really counts. At MCV (in richmond, VA) they are having a trial for triple negatives and the standard protocol is T followed by AC, whereas the other legs add some platinums. Unfortunately, the trial has just started in September...

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  • jkiss75
    jkiss75 Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Hey Babes,

    So I got the 2nd opinion and loved the Dr. but there has been a twist in the plot. My surgeon when she removed my tumor had it sent straight to Fish analysis for the her2nu, well the results are borderline, meaning that I might be slightly positive. They are calling it equivicol basically I have 4 copies of her2 but my distant cell only shows 1.9 copies. My new Onc and a 3rd Onc said do the Herceptin it wouldn't hurt and it would take care of the little that is expressing? The Onc did send it out for a 2nd test to see if we get the same results and we are still waiting for the verification. Overall I am happy with my new Onc and we have settled on taxotere/carboplatinum 4 x3wks with Herceptin every week for 1 yr.

    I just came back from my visit with the Onc and I am feeling the presure of the inevitable, plus he is highly recommending getting a port and I think that is freaking me out. It is just more new information all at once. 

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited January 2008

    The port will certainly save your veins.  I have terrible veins and could not have done chemo without getting the port.  Saves your veins and easy for blood collection and getting IVs.  Initially a little sore when inserted but then you adjust and for me I wasn't aware of it.  Best wishes Joann

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