Anyone on Neo-adjuvant chemo?

Esper - my friend is on neo-adjuvant chemo, AC. She had her third (of four) treatments today. Her BC had broken through the skin of her breast, so the onc looked at that today and could see and feel the changes, so he could tell the chemo is working. (But hers is an unusual case since you can see something.) One of the nurses told me that it's typically a PET or CT scan that will tell them if the neo has worked. I guess I'd say on your next visit ask your onc how he'll check it - and when.  Best of luck to you!

Minz 

esper,

I know you posted a while back, but I just saw this. If your tumor is palpable, the doctor can tell early in your treatment if it is working. Another way to tell is by doing pre and post MRI or PET/CT scans. I was treated in 2005, I had neoadjuvant dose dense AC. I had an MRI before I began chemo then an MRI after 4 chemo treatments. The second MRI looked like greater than 95% of the cancer was gone, but my mastectomy pathology showed some residual cancer cells, so I had 2 more AC treatments.

I am having neo adj chemo: 4 AC and 4 Taxol. I have just completed 4 AC and had an MRI on Tuesday to see how the chemo was working. The MRI showed partial remission. But my onc was pretty happy. She said most of my lymph nodes now looked normal(earlier there were a bunch of matted nodes) and 2/3 of the tumor had gone and my chest wall involvement looked better. So I did not have dramatic results like others have had after 2-3 treatments but my cancer was very widespread and aggressive. I have not seen the report yet and will get the details when I see her next week.

Hi Dean...

I had 20 weeks of neoadjuvant chemo with good results. My diagnosis is different from your mom's so my drugs were different but I wanted to give you some hope. 8 weeks after starting my chemo I had a good  MRI. At time of surgery there was 80% tumor bed reduction thanks to neo treatments. I opted for bilateral mastectomy for peace of mind. Left breast was clean and remaining cancer in right was removed and margins were clean. 

I know this is so hard for you and it breaks my heart. I have 2 teenagers and this has been life altering. Please know there is life after this nightmare. I am 8 months into treatment and doing great after having very aggressive cancer. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love...Kris 

I was diagnosed on 2/5.  I was scheduled for lumpectomy on 2/10 which was postponed due to positive node biopsy.  Dr. thought it would be more beneficial to have chemo up front and shrink tumor and attack system first.  First round of chemo (4 AC, 4 Tax) is scheduled for 3/11.  Does this time frame sound normal.  About 5 weeks from diagnosis to first chemo?  Just curious what your wait times were?

Thanks and God Bless all you women that face this battle each day!

I had neo adjuvant chemo also! I have done 4 sessions of A/C and so far 2 sessions of Taxotere.  My lump has significantly decreased since starting.  May be able to do lumpectomy now, instead.

Fortunately for me, but another issue we see in "our" medical world is MY oncologist is a personal friend whom I had known for 6 years prior to needing her medical services.  I was diagnosed on a Friday... The following Wednesday met w/ surgeon who called my friend and she saw me the very next day... I had a pet scan the next day which was a Friday, a muga test on Monday AND the results at noon that very day!  I had the port put in that Friday and started chemo the next week.

Unfortunately, I believe had I not have known her, my wait would have been considerably longer:(

Having said that... Dr. Susan Love says 4-6 weeks is not going to make any difference in the outcome... so just keep your head up, your spirits up and be grateful for each moment of each day. 

I believe I am cancer free and plan to stay that way!  Do your research and trust your heart!

Dean ,  I did the neo-adjuvenant chemo 4 A/C every 3 weeks followed by 12 Taxol once weekly and to be honest I didn't think it was all that horrible. Dean I am not saying there weren't any side effects but, the worst ones for me was being tired and frustration because I had no energy to do much and that wasn't constant.  They give you meds to keep the sick feeling away, meds for pain ( which I took only once or twice) heck they give you what you need but, for me I took Zantac and Claritan and did fine, I think your attitude has alot to do with it and all people are different I can say food didn't taste good and still taste different to me and my last chemo was January 26th so I think if you are there for her make her laugh and encourage her all will be fine. I must say you are a wonderful son to be inquiring about this as usually it is daughters doing that. I am Impressed

Don't be nervous you'll be fine as will your Mom

Hugs and Prayers,

Deb