4 vs 6 chemo treatments

I am looking for some information from others who are currently undergoing chemo or have recently ended theri treatmnet about how many chemo cycles they had. I am 61 years old and was diagnosed in 12/09 with a 2.0 cm., Stage 1, grade 3  tumor and was Dx. with TNBC. I had a lumpectomy and SNB after Christmas with no lymph node involvement and clear margins. I have had 3 cycles of Cytoxin/Taxotere scheduled at 21 day intervals. I expect to have one more and when completed will have radiation. Recently I have spoken to others who have been treated for TNBC who feel anything less than 6 treatments is not adequate. I know that treatments change as trials and reserach are completed but I want to be as aggressive as possible to give me the best chance to not have a recurrence but I am certainly looking forward to being done with this phase of the treatment. I appreciate any information that others have to share. Thanks.

CTB, that's a good question.  The clinical trial that compared AC to TC and found them equivalent or TC even a little better was I think just 4 rounds.  But 2.0cm is on the border of being stage II and it is high grade.  Hmmm....personally I would probably go with six, but I doubt there's any data to back up the choice one way or another.    Actually, now that I think about it and re-read your post, I see that you didn't do dose dense either (every 2 weeks instead of every 3).    I would definitely do them.  Or at last get a second opinion on the question from a medical oncologist at a different hospital/institution.
Good luck deciding,
Denise  

Hi,

I had TC X 4.  I asked my onc if I should have more and she said no also.  I'd ask you onc again if you're uncomfortable with only having 4 treatments or maybe get a second opinion.  I know you don't want to have any regrets.  Let us know what you decide.

Donna

Hi CTB,

I understand your questioning. I had 4 dd AC bi-weekly and 4 dd taxol and gymzar bi-weekly (total of 8 cycles). But, I did not have radiation because I had a mastectomy and only 1 node slightly involved

Per my oncologist, I was staged IIb because the tumor was 2cm, 1 node positive, and triple negative. I had agressive chemo, but still wonder about not having radiation.

If you have doubts about the number of treatments you should certainly discuss it with your oncologist. At least you in a position to agree with the present protocol or discuss more treatments. Good Luck

Lillie

Hi Kirby,

CTB, since you are having these worries and second thoughts, I would suggest you seek out a second opinion from an oncologist that only treats breast cancer and that has extensive experience with TNBC.  Now is the time to do everything you can to make you comfortable post treatment.  We ALL worry post treatment, but your worries are starting so soon, I think you should address it and get that second opinion as quick as you can.

CTB,

Hi, I take B-6 100 mg twice a day.  I was taking only one pill a day, but still have numbness in my fingertips and sometimes feet.