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How long before response to AC

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Forum Name: Let's Talk About Chemotherapy
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URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=13788
Printed Date: Mar 28 2024 at 3:26pm
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Topic: How long before response to AC
Posted By: Fred
Subject: How long before response to AC
Date Posted: Jan 26 2021 at 8:26am
Hello everyone!
I am here for my mom.
Original Mammogram said tumor was 2.5cm. Delayed baseline MRI (done after 2nd dose of AC because of issue with mom’s ear implant) says tumor is 2.3cm. Does that mean AC is not working well or too soon to judge? I was expecting the tumor to have shrunk significantly more and I am concerned. Also, we have no actual baseline MRI which makes everything more confusing. 
My mum is 60. One lymphnode affected. She’s on the 4 AC every three weeks and 12 Taxols weekly regimen. BCRA status currently unknown, waiting for test results. 
Thank you!



Replies:
Posted By: SagePatientAdvocates
Date Posted: Jan 26 2021 at 1:00pm
Hi Fred,

Welcome to our TNBC family. Wonderful that you are helping your mom.

I am not a medical professional but, anecdotally, as a patient advocate I have seen that there can be some slight differences between tumor size on a mammogram and MRI. 

How long has it been between the mammogram and "delayed" MRI?

When are they planning the next scan?

I think it may be too early to tell if the AC is working. But that is a question for your oncologist.

I have seen women have major shrinkage in the tumors pretty quickly and at other times 
the tumors are stable or even progress. In general, TNBC, is often, very responsive to 
AC+T but at times it is chemo resistant. If, God forbid, that is your mom's experience the oncologist will probably come up with an alternate treatment. 

Fred, everyone is different and sometimes after the Taxol there will be shrinkage.

The BRCA test results are important. Are they doing a full panel of breast cancer genes, not just BRCA? Most likely they are doing a full panel, but I would ask and if they are doing just BRCA I would suggest asking for an expanded panel.

Wishing your mom great success with her treatment and we will be here for you.

warmly,

Steve




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I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates


Posted By: Fred
Date Posted: Jan 26 2021 at 2:56pm
Hi Steve!

Thank you so much for your response and your kind words.

The initial mammogram was done at the start of December. My mom then started treatment in mid-December. The delayed MRI was done about 34 days after my mom started her treatment (two weeks after 2nd AC dose), on the 20th of January. My mom will have her third AC round this Thursday.

We're meeting with the oncologist tomorrow and she'll let us know re next scan.

And yes, we're getting a full panel of genes.

I have read different things online, some suggesting that it's difficult to assess the tumor response until a couple of months have passed from the start of the therapy, some saying otherwise. In any case, it would have been encouraging to see the tumor shrink already.

Thank you,

Fred





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