Taxol for Node Negative?
I know that the taxanes are usually recommended when there are nodes involved. Is there anyone out there that did taxol or taxotere even though they were node negative? Just curious. I do want to do everything I can to fight this disease. I have a 7 yr. old daughter and I really want to be there for her. Any feedback would really be appreciated!
Jaded
Comments
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I have not walked in your shoes as I am ER/postive but did the four A/C and did have two postive nodes but decided my immue system had had enough. But I was 57 at that time so a different story all around. I do believe chemo is being over done with only a 8 percent increase in survivoral with the use of chemo but if you are in the 8 percent it is worth it. We all have to decide with prayer and intelligent study what is right for each of us and then don't look back. Linda0
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Hi Poupette:
It does seem that many women with no nodes, no Her/2/neu and with small tumors, do not have Taxol. Remember that different physician's have differing opinions. Medicine is as much art as science and personal opinion colors the science which a physician uses to paint his/her picture (opinion).
Regarding her comment about the oncologists not being able to predict who will relapse: Is she suggesting that with Taxol, they then could? That's outrageous! No physician's, scientist's or anyone else can predict who's going to relapse and who isn't, regardless of which type of chemo is used. Forgive me but it strikes me as a bit of a lame scare tactic. Insinuating that IF you have the Taxol, then you WON'T relapse?
Tread with caution. Read, study and get all the reliable info you can about it before making your decision. There are many things to consider, including side effects. If you go back through the pages of this board you will find many women left with some major pain, neuropathies, etc., who had taxanes. Check out other boards as well. Also, you need to answer, unequivocally for yourself, whether in your case, it is advisble/worth it. MOST importantly, get a 2nd opinion from a physician completely unassociated with Mem. Sloan, just to be sure he/she isn't influenced by their opinion. A 3rd if you need it. Beyond that, I echo Linda's advice: Don't look back.
I haven't had any taxanes and speak only via association, in addition to what I've learned here, through research, different physician's, etc.. My doctor's told me that it was not indicated in my case. What I discovered for myself supported their advice.
Wishing you the best.
Love, light and laughter,
Ink0 -
Here's my feedback.
Unlike Ink, I don't take your onco's comment to mean that taxol will guarantee you will not relapse. There is supposed to be a greater benefit from taxol for ER negative women - and you are young. My gut feeling is that I would try one treatment and if not much of a problem, do the other three. Of course it is no guarantee.
A second opinion as Ink suggested would perhaps help your decision. Good Luck!
Jean0 -
Hi there, I had the same diagnosis as you and I am close to your age. Taxol was not recommended for me and after research, I agreed with the recommendation. Chemo was tough enough. I also opted out of radiation because my own research showed not enough gain for me at all. I agree though that you need another opinion. Good luck and let us know what you decide,
Lynne0 -
I was the same as you except mine was larger at 3cm. I have several oncologists in the office and I'd say it was a 50/50 split. One, a new guy, was "on the fence" about it. I chose to not do it because the side effects were possible numbness in the extemities and I already have problems with that. So after the A/C I did 6 weeks rad's and called it enough. If by chance it comes back, I still have the taxol in my back pocket so to speak. It's tuff making these decisions, but make them we must. do what you feel is right for you and don't look back. God bless and in my prayers, Amelia0
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Well, I'm one who had 4 a/c and 4 taxol treatments. I had neuropathy during and for a while post chemo. It is practically gone at this point and in one month it will be 2 yrs since last chemo. I would take the taxol again to add to the chance of my survival and no recurrance. It is everyone's personal decision, but I wanted to fight my cancer and not look back later and wish I had taken all the treatment my oncologist reccommended. Good luck with whatever you decide. A second opinion might give you more peace of mind.
Janet0 -
Hi Paupette,
I just wanted to tell you that I had taxol..although I am er positive , however also her2 positive aggressive with one node positive. For me personally, I would take the extra insurance. I did not find Taxol as bad as the A/C, I had some aches and pains in the joints, but not nearly as much nausea. I had my treatments every two weeks so it went by pretty fast. I think that typically most oncologist want to treat pretty aggresively. Its your decision to make and not an easy one, let us know what you decide.
Kris0 -
Oh, I can relate to your question. I am currently undergoing the Taxol treatments, but only have 3 treatments to go. Went through Cytoxin cycles first. Diagnosed with aggressive invasive breast cancer and was Node Negative, even though they removed 4 lymph nodes. My doctor at MD Anderson in Houston, felt it was in my best interest to do the entire treatment. The taxol makes you just as sick or sicker. I have had allergic reactions to all my chemotherapy and do weekly treatment versus the 3 weeks. It definitely makes a difference--you don't get as sick. I have been functioning almost as normal with the exception of fatigue. However, I have been able to work and even do volunteer work along with tending to my 11 yr old. I am 42 and too many things to do in life for my son. Planning on being there to watch him graduate from graduate school one day. I hear we'll have effects from whatever cocktail we've had. Since cancer runs in my family, I wanted the extra assurance, too.0
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>>If by chance it comes back, I still have the taxol in my back pocket so to speak. <<amelia said:I was the same as you except mine was larger at 3cm. I have several oncologists in the office and I'd say it was a 50/50 split. One, a new guy, was "on the fence" about it. I chose to not do it because the side effects were possible numbness in the extemities and I already have problems with that. So after the A/C I did 6 weeks rad's and called it enough. If by chance it comes back, I still have the taxol in my back pocket so to speak. It's tuff making these decisions, but make them we must. do what you feel is right for you and don't look back. God bless and in my prayers, Amelia
I don't like to rain on anyone's parade but once cancer comes back as metastases, it is not curable. The only time you can try to beat cancer is the first time around with the initial adjuvant treatment.0 -
Hi Jaded:
My tumor was 1.5 cm with no mode involvement and I did three courses of A/C (also horrible) and three courses of taxol. My oncologist explained that the chemo was for "life insurance" - because my tumor was just a bit outside the milk duct and even with no node involvement he wanted to make certain that any stray abnormal cell that might be floating around would be no more.
After the A/C - taxol was so easy. I had no nausea at all. The only side effect I had was tingling,numbing of my hands and feet and some joint pain. Motrin helped with that. I lost my eyelashes,some eyebrows and what little bit of hair that had not fallen out on A/C.
I finished my chemo treatments on July 29th of last year followed by radiation - I have hair growing back (Thank goodness the pixie look is in fashion) and more important I have a piece of mind that I have done everything to fight cancer. I don't plan to ask "What If".
Good luck with everything.0 -
In 2002 I too was treated at Sloan-Kettering in NY for breast cancer. Mine was 1.8 cm, no nodes, ER/PR negative, Grade 3, HER2 negative. The only major difference between our pathology was my age - I was 54 at diagnosis. My oncologist did not recommend Taxol and I'm thinking yours might have because of how young you are. I'm glad I didn't have to go through it since the other chemo was tough enough. These decisions are always difficult. If you still feel unsure, you might want to get a second opinion. Good luck.
Ellen0 -
I was node negative and did CMF and tamoxifen my tumor was small and er positive, cancer came back 10 years later and I did Taxol and Adriamycin. It came back again and now I am on Xeloda. I believe in being as agressive as possible in the beginning, while you are young and healthy enough to handle it. I don't think Taxol would be as bad by itself as it is when combined with other drugs. Of course keeping an option in your back pocket is a good idea as well. But I often wondered if it had been offered to me (it wasn't) would my outcome have been different. Cancer free again and glad of it. Good luck.0
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