Success of TC or best chemo treatment
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Topic: Success of TC or best chemo treatment
Posted By: Carolb
Subject: Success of TC or best chemo treatment
Date Posted: Jun 07 2009 at 6:11am
| Hello, This is my first post. I am 51 years old and had a masectomy last week. I am now seeking best chemo treatment option and am very about what to do next. TC/tac/clinical trials??? Also, where are the best treatment centers ie MD Anderson that focus on triple negative diagnosis. Thanks Carol |
Replies:
Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: Jun 07 2009 at 10:52am
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Hi Carolb,
First welcome to the site and we are so glad you have found us
 There are many resources here on the site, and one is at the top of this page, and every page....resources....and then "ask the experts". You may want to enter a question as to where the best treatment centers are, and I also know that many of the women will repy to your post.
The women here are going to many cancer treatment centers, and I have heard good reports from MD Anderson and the Cancer treatment Centers of America, but there are also many locally...in your area wherever that may be, as I really feel there are no "experts" on TNBC. That is just my opinion.
There are trials and for that you should ask the doctors, as my daughter Lori was never informed of trials when she was diagnosed. Although, I'm not sure if she would have even considered that.
Lori was given ACT...Adriamycin, Cytoxan and Taxotere, all 3 every 3 weeks for 6 treatments and then 28 rads. Her treatments ended in January 2008. She had her mastectomy at Magee Women's hospital in Pittsburgh, and chemo and rads here in Altoona PA, as the med onc and the radonc here agreed as to the treatments that Magee had recommended.
"They" are now saying that the "A" is only effective in 8% of all bc cases, and that Taxotere is also not very effective. So much for what my daughter had!
I am going to send you a private nessage with my email and then I will send you all the info that we have. Again....welcome and just keep asking and these amazing women and men will reply
Hugs,
Nancy
http://www.cancerlinksusa.com/centers.htm - http://www.cancerlinksusa.com/centers.htm
http://www.sharecancersupport.org/ulp/TNBC.pdf - http://www.sharecancersupport.org/ulp/TNBC.pdf
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1505413§ionID=1 - http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1505413§ionID=1
http://cme.medscape.com/viewprogram/18902 - http://cme.medscape.com/viewprogram/18902 ------------- Nancy DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
Posted By: mefowler
Date Posted: Jun 07 2009 at 11:59am
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Dear Carolb, MD Anderson is generally considered to be the premier cancer treatment in the United States. When I was diagnosed last fall, I contacted a friend who is an oncology fellow and went to the University of Kansas Medical Center, which is about an hour away from me where I received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with Taxotere and Carboplatin. I did not get adriamycin due to my borderline cardiac ejection fraction, which may have been a blessing in disguise. When they did the lumpectomy, there was no invasive cancer left. Of course not everyone has this good a result, but I am very glad I did. Although many people have had severe side-effects from the Taxotere, I have not. During chemo, I was exhausted, but I was working full-time through the treatments. I am feeling better every day now that it is over. Hope this is helpful to you. If there is anything I can help you with, just let me know. Maire ------------- 53 yo, dx'd 11/08 at 51, 2.9 cm IDC, node-neg, neoadj chemotx with Taxotere/carboplatin q3wks x 6, lumpectomy 4/09, path showed pCR, margin reexcision 5/09, rad'n 6-8/09, intermittent Tarceva, dc'd |
Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: Jun 08 2009 at 10:13am
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Hello Carolb, I also would like to say welcome.
First of all I hope you are healing well from your mastectomy? That is a difficult surgery to get thru and hope you have a good support system around you.
When you are ready you might need to consult with one or two, some do 3 Oncologists before you are content that they will do their best to make you well.
What you can do in the meantime is research. Learn what you can about your next step which possibly would be treatments they might suggest to you.
By learning ahead of time what is best for Triple Negative Breast Cancer than you become empowered with what you need to know and what answers you want to hear.
Since we as yet do not have a targeted treatment we pretty much get what the er+ women get and chemotherapy has been reported to help many who have triple neg so that is a plus.
http://www.cancernetwork.com/display/article/10165/1340727 - http://www.cancernetwork.com/display/article/10165/1340727
http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/article/10165/1341194 - http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/article/10165/1341194
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/ask_expert/2008_07/index.jsp - http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/ask_expert/2008_07/index.jsp
Many women do have the TC or ACT as you have mentioned.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your diagnosis?
Also, do you have other cancer in your family? The BRCA 1 mutation is common in Triple Neg but not all Triple Neg are positive. So you might want to consider counseling with a Certified Genetic Counselor and also check out the website http://www.facingourrisk.org - http://www.facingourrisk.org .
This website focuses on familial cancer with a good forum to ask questions.
One more thing for now, get copies of all your paperwork. Pathology, any scans, tests, etc., and begin your own file at home. It is important that you read these as they also will possibly point to questions you want to ask your doctor.
Best wishes
------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
Posted By: Houston
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 3:56am
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I am being treated at MDA and it seems that the TBC patient receive the following 24 week Chemo:
First 12 weeks - 12 weekly Taxol treatments
Second 12 weeks - FAC every 3 weeks for a total of 4 treatment
Radiation for 6 weeks following the chemo
------------- DX 5/5/09 Stage 1, Grade 3 lumpectomy 5/18/09 12 Taxol, 4 FAC, 6 weeks rads |
Posted By: dianjlew
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 5:29am
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Good day to all,
I have been reading your posts for a long time and just got the courage to place one. This is a great forum.
I was diagnose with triple negative stage 11 breast cancer. one out of 7 nodes positive. grade 3, invasive doctal car.
I first has lumpectomy 3/13/09, then mastectomy on left breast 3/26/09, the mastectomy on right breast 6/4/09. I started A/C on 4/20/09, just started taxol 6/15/09. this last surgery is still bleeding and had to have drain put back in. I also have expenders in both breast and pending surgery to remove my ovaries.
My medical oncologist just told me maybe I should think about stopping the expension of the breasts and have an inplant put in so I could start living my life. If I decide to later put in a bigger implant, I can do so then. My breast was Ds and I want C implants put in. I would like to continue to expand and have the Cs put in one time.
Having him say that, worried me that he does not have faith of a good outcome. He is also concern about my blood counts. My results on 6/20/09 read that my blood counts are low. the oncologist at the cancer center did not give me the neulasta shot after my last treatment (taxol).
my red blood count was already borderline before last surgery, had two blood transfusions and after taxol the count is still low.
My medical doctor wants me to keep taking ferrous saulfate three times a day. but i have heard that it is not the best form of iron to take.
I am very concern, but trying to remain positive. I have continued working throughout my treatments and able to exercise regularly.
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Posted By: cg---
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 6:02am
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Dear Dianjlew,
Welcome and I am sorry for your onoing difficulties. First, you have to get your body back in good shape. I know you WANT to continue with the implants but you NEED to get the body healthy enough to receive them.
I was also stage IIb like yourself except I had 3 positive nodes in May 2007.
My hemoglobin was 99 after my last chemotherapy (I had started at 136). The next blood check I was 131 and since I love clams, oysters, mussels - it was absolutely a pleasure getting my iron back up to normal again. I have included below a list of high iron foods. Tofu is another easy source. You would practically have to eat a cow to give you the iron a couple dozen clams/oysters/muscles give.
http://www.healthaliciousness.com/nutritionfacts/nutrition-comparison.php?o=15159&t=15169&h=15165&s=100&e=100&r=100 - http://www.healthaliciousness.com/nutritionfacts/nutrition-comparison.php?o=15159&t=15169&h=15165&s=100&e=100&r=100
I also had the AC followed by Taxol. You cannot heal properly unless you give your body the right tools to work with....
If you have any more questions....please ask.
Connie
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Posted By: dianjlew
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 6:14am
| thanks Connie. |
Posted By: Carolb
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 8:25am
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Hello,
I have now been given an option to try a clinical trial using Avastin with a dose dense treatment of AC-T. Does anyone have any information on this.
Thanks!
Carol
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Posted By: JanetK
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 10:10am
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What trial is it? I am on http://www.nsabp.pitt.edu/B40_Protocol_Brochure.pdf - http://www.nsabp.pitt.edu/B40_Protocol_Brochure.pdf I am doing mine neoadjuvant, so, I am not certain this trial does it adjuvant, I am, however having doubts about Avastin. There are many posts on it. I couldn't possibly quote them all to you. I would suggest just doing a general search on the site using Avastin in the search field. Good luck and lots of hugs Janet ------------- TNBC feb 13,2009 2.6x 3.5 neoadjuvant chemo 8 rounds Lumpectomy successful Oct 09 axillary node dissection Nov 09 still awaiting results |
Posted By: Carolb
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 10:32am
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Hello Janet,
Thanks for responding. This is a phase III trial using Avastin in adjuvant treatment. I had a mastectomy on May 27 and have yet to start my chemo. I obviously have serious questions about the advantages of Avastin so would be interested in your thoughts.
Carol
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Posted By: mainsailset
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 10:49am
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Hi Carol: Isn't it nice to find a place where you can discuss with women who share your concerns!
I notice you're from San Diego. Being a person who's had to face long distance travel logistics, I would put my 2 cents in that it's easier on you as a patient to look close to home for the best care.
Have you looked at UCLA? UCSD, Stanford? Scripps? A friend of mine said she and her husband were able to take advantage of Stanford's facilities and medical teams and were extremely pleased. It seems reasonable that if your insurance will cover you could go to any of the above initially on a consult basis to get a broader review of your options.
I mention Scripps because I believe they have at least one clinical study that was brought up here that seemed promising for TN.
Sounds like you're willing to do the homework to find out what's best for you. That kind of attitude will pay off for you so more power to you. Best, M
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Posted By: pwcassidy
Date Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 5:29pm
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I took AC for 4 treatments then taxol all neoadjuvunct, then mastectomy, then 30 rads. i have been reading up on the avastin. I was stage 3 grade 3 with 3 lymph nodes still positive after chemo. I am now taking avastin and carboplatin because i had recurrence.
------------- TNC, stage3, Grade 3 1/08 Mets to lymph nodes and bones 1/09 |