do all tnbc get chemo?

Very interesting thread!



I'm triple negative diagnosed July of 2007. My original tumor was 3.6 cm. I'm from Austin, Texas and went to Scripps in La Jolla for a second opinion! Both oncs and my surgeon agreed that I should do chemo, then surgery, and then radiation.



After a couple of rounds of A/C, my tumor shrunk! I completed 4 dose dense rounds of A/C (nasty) and 12 weeks of weekly Taxol. My scans are measuring my tumor today at 8mm! I'm having a lumpectomy next Friday.



Of all the research I've done I thought that chemo was a triple negative's best hope!



I would love to meet you gals out in San Diego soon. We are there about twice a year. I have family in Coronado!

Twink, Sadie and everyone else:

This is Cookie - I am so confused now - I was dig 12/14/07, had a lumpectomy 2 wks ago, 4.6cm, no lymph node involvement, sentinal and 1 axillary taken, good margins, that special blood test to see if there is any cancer floating around in your system, that came out ok too.

So, what is the best and newest treatment for triple negative with my stats? I have read so much that it am sure each article contradicts the other.

I get my port on 1/29 then start chemo, but not sure what. Originally my Austin oncologist said AC plus taxel every three weeks and radiation. I am now in AZ and this Dr. was going to talk to the Austin dr. the AZ wants to "tweek" the protocal a little. He said he'd like to give it to me every 2 weeks and use Taxotere.

So, now what, what questions should I ask him? I think I prefer what he is saying as opposed to the Austin oncologist, but I just want to get this taken care of for good.

Oh, also the radiologist here in AZ was very positive. He said he really didn't care about being triple negative. He said it is cureable and that's all we're concerned about. He is in the same office as the oncologist and they talk all the time about each patient.

thanks

cookie

Thanks Twink - you always make everything better! I mentioned Cisplatin to the Oncologist in Austin (previously worked at MD Anderson until a year ago) said Cicplatin isn't used (so I assumed she meant because this isn't metastisized (sp). So I will have to discuss it with this Dr. in Casa Grande, AZ

Does that blood test I just had make any big difference? I don't know how much weight is put on it.

Cookie

My oncs don't rely on the tumor markers (I assume that's the blood test you're referring to).  Some do use them routinely.  Cookie, I wouldn't rely on them, personally.  Again, my opinion only.  Ask about Carboplatin as opposed to Cisplatin... not sure if that will make a difference in the response you get.  I don't have mets and my U Penn onc put me on 4 treatments, 3 weeks apart.  Others do it in combination with the Taxotere.  I didn't because I'd already had the neoadjuvant chemo (ACX4, TaxotereX4)

((Cookie))

Wish I were in AZ soaking up some sun and warmth too.

Hi Susan,

Thought I'll chip in here. My mom was also in a similar situation as you when she was diagnosed with a 1 cm receptor negative tumor in Sep last year. We were told by the oncologist that chemo was optional. So I brought her to see two other oncologists who said doing chemo for a triple negative was a no brainer - she should do it.

Ultimately, the decision is still yours. Its something that you should be comfortable with. My mom's decision to finally do the chemo was to have no regrets should the cancer recur - she had done her best.

As for the chemo combo, because of my mom's age (she's 68), the doctors didn't push for AC+T (mom also preferred a shorter chemo course) or TC (TC was still considered relatively new then and the docs adopted a more conservative approach with the AC) so she just went through a normal 4x AC cycle. Now, I do wonder if we did enough or should have pushed for the newer drugs. But I guess we did the best we could at that point.

Take care,

Sofie

Hi Susan,

I had fun picking out my wig.  I went shopping before I started treatment.  I tried on lots of different colors and styles.  The woman who helped me was so patient.  I think she really enjoyed her work. 

I nearly went blond--I have medium brown hair.  I would have, but it washed out the color in my face to much, so I settled with one with red highlights.  I think my insurance paid for it.  You need to get a prescription though.

 You'll have to take a picture of your pink wig and post it.  Have fun with it!!!

I agree with Twink-focus on the goal.

Warmly,

Sadie

Hello All!  This is my first posting here.  I have read most of the prior posts.  I can tell this is a very caring, supportive group.  I was diagnosed with Stage 1, 1.5 cm, Triple Negative and Tumor Grade 3 on December 6, 2007~at 66 years of age.  From my research, most caucasian women my age to not get the Triple Negative type.  I had a lumpectomy on December 21 and sentinel node biopsy.  The margins were clean and two lymph nodes were negative for the Big C.  I completed the MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation on January 18.  I have been to two oncologists.  They both urged me to have chemo~Taxotere and Cytoxan for four treatments three weeks apart.   Both oncologists used the Adjuvant! On Line website to give me a 10-year relapse percent.  Without chemo my 10-year prognosis is 'alive without cancer' 57%, 'relapse' 28% and 'die of other causes' 15%.  With chemo, my relapse percent improves only by 5%. The week of February 4 I will have a CBC, CA27.29, echocardogram and a CT Scan.  Apparently, these tests are required before beginning chemo.  If the CA27.29 and CT Scan come back 'clean', I have decided to not take the chemo.  I just can't put myself through it!  I live alone, 60 miles from the treatment center and have no close friends/family out here on the High Plains to help me out. Also, I have weighed the negative side effects of chemo vs the only 5% improvement in the relapse rate.  I have a 2 out of 3 'chance' of being cancer-free in 10 years!  I will be one of the two who are alive, vibrant and  full of life!  I have great faith that I will be taken care and healed by my Creator~I feel like I have already been healed as a matter of fact. I am marching forward, in faith, knowing that 'All is Well.' Like each of you, I never thought I would be posting to this website.  Are any others of you foregoing chemo?  I have not read any posts  about it.  We are all in this together~being in one anothers cheering section!  Thank you all for your support and being in my 'cheering section.'  Jeanne

Thanks Twink for replying to my post and wishing me well.  How are you doing?  You seem to be very active on this board and spending time supporting others.  You are doing a great job! Jeanne

Susan:

You're too funny. My 7 year old granddaughter has a pink wig and my husband took my picture in it and I sent it to all my friends and relatives. Some actually thought I was going to use it! I wanted her Hannah Montana wig but she wouldn't part with it.

There are some funnies in all this mess. I was just telling my friend today, heck when I lose my hair, that means those 2 darn hairs that always grow on my chin will be gone - Yes!

Cookie

Hi Cookie,

Thanks for replying to my post.  I will try and clarify the % info you asked about.  There is a website oncologists use to help their patients in making decisions about chemo.  It is called Adjuvant! Online.  (You can probably get a copy from your oncologist as patients don't have access to it.) The oncologist enters the following patient information to get the percentages: age, comorbidity (other health problems), ER status, tumor size, positive nodes and then calulates this information for 'relapse.' The 57% in my personal case implies I will be alive and without cancer in 10 years without chemo.  The possibility of me having a relapse is 28% during those ten years.  Then there is a 15% chance of me dying from other causes i.e., car wreck, heart attack, etc.  With chemo my relapse % would drop to 23% and 'alive and without cancer' would improve to 62%.  I hope this  info helps you.  I sure wish you all the best during your chemo treatments.  You take good care of yourself.  OK?  Feel free to pm me if you want.  Jeanne