New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Did I chose the right chemo?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Did I chose the right chemo?
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
sassygirl012 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Dec 07 2013
Location: michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sassygirl012 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Did I chose the right chemo?
    Posted: Dec 07 2013 at 1:38pm

Hello, new here to this site. Loads of good information. I wish I had found this earlier.  Just wanting some opinions. My doctor gave me a choice of AC-T x4 and TC x 6. Her recommendations was the TC.  I am stage 2a 1.5 cm tumor triple neg. with 1 positive node.  I had a lumpectomy. I chose the TC because of her recommendation(she has a great background in breast cancer treatment) but I see most triple negs have some regime with the A in it (anthrocyclin sp?). Did I make the wrong choice when I chose TC over AC-T?  Feeling really nervous now. I have had 2 PET/CT scans, one before chemo and one after and all clear and a MRI before chemo and was clear. I am about 2 months out from chemo and going through radiation and am having hip and back pain.  Just wondering if there are others with my similar dx that had TC?  Feeling very nervous.
Back to Top
123Donna View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 07 2013 at 2:54pm
sassygirl012,

I think you are asking the million dollar question we all have asked.  I've seen women who get AC-T recur and others don't.  This seems to appear to be the same with all chemo regimens.  Since TNBC is a catch all of many subtypes, currently seven, that without knowing which sub-type we have and our tumor's unique pathology, it's just a guess which chemo will work best (IMHO).  The future of molecular profiling of each person's tumor will give us better personalized medicine.  We're not at that point and we just have to go with our onc's best recommendation for each of us.  The worst part of this journey is always second guessing our choices.  Good news that your scans have been all clear!

This is from a 2012 study:

Conventional chemotherapy is the mainstay of adjuvant systemic treatment for most patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). At present, comparisons between adjuvant chemotherapy regimens are retrospective in nature, and so the optimal drugs or drug combinations have not been established for patients with early TNBC. In retrospective subgroup analyses, taxanes are more effective than 5-fluorouracil in combination with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. Classical CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) has shown efficacy, whereas few data on the role of anthracyclines are available. An unplanned subgroup analysis of one randomised study suggests that capecitabine adds efficacy to a taxane–anthracycline regimen, but this observation requires confirmation. High-dose adjuvant chemotherapy is considered experimental. Ongoing trials are comparing standard adjuvant regimens with regimens that integrate an anti-angiogenic agent, a platin or maintenance capecitabine. Inhibitors of DNA repair or specific tyrosine kinases have not yet been addressed in the adjuvant setting. In the absence of data from prospective trials that focus on adjuvant therapy of early TNBC, several regimens, such as a taxane and an anthracycline-containing regimen or classical CMF may be considered reasonable choices.


This is from a 2011 study:

Anthracyclines are clearly effective in triple-negative breast cancer, but the available data are insufficient to conclude that they should be used preferentially in this group of patients, especially since “triple negative” is not really a homogenous category but rather a composite of several different molecular subtypes for which the optimal therapy may differ. - See more at: http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/can-we-abandon-anthracyclines-early-breast-cancer-patients/page/0/2#sthash.beiTnwEI.dpuf




Edited by 123Donna - Dec 07 2013 at 3:01pm
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
Back to Top
Lillie View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Jul 10 2009
Location: Eastern NC
Status: Offline
Points: 3616 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lillie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 08 2013 at 8:09pm
Dear Sassygirl012,
 
I wish I could give you an answer that would completely satisfy your mind.  I cannot.   A lot of us are left wishing or wondering if we should have taken a different route with our treatments.  I did not receive any radiation and it bothered me for several years.  It was not a part of the clinical trial I participated in because I had a mastectomy. 
 
I would suggest you revisit the chemo choice with your oncologist.  Is she up-to-date on TNBC??  I'm not trying to scare you, just clear the air with your onc about her preference of TC vs TAC.  Maybe it will make you feel better.  Also, pain in the hips and legs is normal after chemotherapy.  Don't jump to any conclusions yet and make sure your oncologists follows you closely.  I hope this helps a bit.  Please keep us posted on your progress and may you have many, many, many years of cancer free living.
 
Love and God Bless,
Lillie
 
 
Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA-
6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+
6/06 Axl. 9 nodes-
8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4
No Rads.
No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED
Back to Top
sassygirl012 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Dec 07 2013
Location: michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sassygirl012 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 22 2013 at 10:18am
Is it possible once I'm done with radiation to go and get the AC-T regime with no evidence of disease?  I know this sounds crazy but just wondering if anyone knew this?
Dx May 2013. Invasive ductal card. Grade 3. Stage 2A. 1 node positive 3.5mm. Lumpectomy with clear margins.
ER- PR+(5-10% 2+ intensity), HER-2 NEG. BRCA NEG.
Treatment: TCx6 and 33 rads.
Back to Top
123Donna View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 22 2013 at 11:15am
Usually they won't prescribe more chemo if there is no evidence of disease.  
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
Back to Top
Charlene View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 14 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Points: 613 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Charlene Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 22 2013 at 3:15pm
I think the first paragraph of Donna's first response is spot-on.  There simply are no guarantees.  If there was one certain chemotherapy regimen that worked for everyone, it would be called a cure.  And, just as Donna stated, TNBC is now recognized to be many different diseases.  What were the reasons that your oncologist gave you for recommending TC?  Perhaps she could provide some research statistics regarding recurrence rates that might ease your mind.  Finishing treatment is a very scary time, because most of us feel frightened that "it's coming right back."  But, in the absence of disease, I have not heard of anyone just getting more chemo.  Sometimes it, too, can cause long lasting health issues.  Wish you the best.
Charlene
DX 3/10 @59 ILC/TNBC
Stage 1, Grade 2, Multifocal; Lumpectomy/re-excision
SNB 0/4 nodes, BRCA-; Taxotere/Cytoxan X4, 30 rads
3/14:NED
Back to Top
denise07 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 26 2010
Location: pa
Status: Offline
Points: 997 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote denise07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 24 2013 at 10:08pm
hmmm..Sure is a tough question wish we all knew the answer for that one. I think at some point we all wonder did I recieve the best treatment for our cancer may be I need a couple of more rounds of chemo and I even asked my onc that when I was finished and he said no that I had more then enough and if there is no evidence of disease they will no longer give you treatments.I had 6 rounds of act but I was stage 2a with 2 positive nodes and my tumor was a little larger then yours 2 cm that is probably why I had the adriymicin (spelling). May be you can ask for metiform (spelling) some doctors are using that now to help ward off recurrance for TNBC. I believe it is a drug for diabetics. I think I will ask my onc on my next visit about that.Good Luck and I think you have made wise choices for your treatment keep in touch.
Hugs
Denise
DX Idc 10/07,st2,gr3,2/6 lymphnodes
Back to Top
mouse21 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Dec 27 2013
Status: Offline
Points: 1 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mouse21 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 30 2013 at 8:37pm
I'm glad you asked this question. I have the same question and have been searching articles, forums, etc to try and find the answer. I am stage 3 with 4 nodes and am getting Taxotere/Carboplatin. My tumor and nodes are responding great to this regimen and if I have a complete response at the time of surgery then my onc says I don't need anymore chemo. This is good but I still find myself wondering if this is ok since so many people have AC as well. In specific response to your question I have seen a lot of people on the forums and Facebook that had the TC you got and and are doing well. I think it really depends on the genetic subtype and I think there is still so much that we don't know about TNBC. The good news is there is much research being done on the subject.
Back to Top
clarkjennifer View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: Dec 26 2013
Location: Arizona
Status: Offline
Points: 18 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote clarkjennifer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 6:43am
It is tough to recognize the pain you are suffering from. My friend had ovarian cancer, after treatment of chemotherapies she also suffered the back pain. But now she is absolutely fine. She does not have any risk of reproduction of cancer now. Doctor has given the clear reports.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.