Stage IIa...Triple negative...Taxol?

jaavon2002
jaavon2002 Member Posts: 57
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just wanted to know the different treatment plans that were given to ladies with a Stage IIa, triple negative diagnosis. (My lymp nodes were not cancerous) My treatment plan is 4 treatments of Adramycin/Cytoxan every 2 weeks, then 4 treatments of Taxol every two weeks. Is this the norm? (My first oncolgist recommended 4-A/C every 3 weeks, then 4-Taxotere every 3 weeks.)

I also wanted to know the different experiences anyone has had with Taxol. Is that as bad as Adramycin/Cytoxan?

Comments

  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #2
    Hi Jaavon
    I have the same diagnosis as you, and I was given Tatotere, Adramycin, and Cytoxan together every 3 weeks, 6 times total. But I think your protocol is very common, as well. I don't take Taxol, but Taxotere is in the same class of drugs. I don't know its individual effect, since I took all of mine at the same time, but I've heard that your hair might start growing back on Taxol. The culprits, in terms of chemo fatigue, seem to be the AC.

    Mimi
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
    I'm not a triple neg but it
    I'm not a triple neg but it seems to me that I've read research that concluded the less dosage more frequently is better tolerated and more successful than more chemo less often.
    I remember this as I brought it up to my onc wondering why we weren't doing it that way. So your every 2 week tx is probably better than the every 3 week. Taxotere is suppose to be better tolerated than taxol. I had taxotere but many women get taxol. My hair started growing back on taxotere but it really hurt my bones. Particularly the first infusion. But I have osteoporosis and it's been wondered if that had an effect. Good luck to you.
    love
    jan
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #4
    Second Guessing?
    Hi, again, Jaavon. I hope you are not second-guessing your treatment decision. It is an easy trap to fall into, I know. Early on, I agonized over whether I had doomed myself by not taking my local oncologist's treatment plan (basically AC and T over 18 weeks with possibly Avastin).

    Until the blessed day that a cure is found, all we can do is educate ourselves in order to make the best, most-informed decision. That is what you did. So, trust yourself. The important thing is that you found the courage to take chemo treatment. I think you should be proud and pleased with how you have handled the diagnosis and treatment. You have more courage than you realized.
  • jaavon2002
    jaavon2002 Member Posts: 57
    #5
    Moopy23 said:

    Second Guessing?
    Hi, again, Jaavon. I hope you are not second-guessing your treatment decision. It is an easy trap to fall into, I know. Early on, I agonized over whether I had doomed myself by not taking my local oncologist's treatment plan (basically AC and T over 18 weeks with possibly Avastin).

    Until the blessed day that a cure is found, all we can do is educate ourselves in order to make the best, most-informed decision. That is what you did. So, trust yourself. The important thing is that you found the courage to take chemo treatment. I think you should be proud and pleased with how you have handled the diagnosis and treatment. You have more courage than you realized.

    Of course I am ;)
    I find myself second guessing this whole chemo thing. I've had 2 treatments out of 8 and feel that I cannot take any more. As soon as I feel better...4-5 days later it's time to go back for another. I'm not the doctor but it seems like 8 treatments is alot.
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #6
    I was er and pr pos. and had
    I was er and pr pos. and had Adriamycin/Cytoxan every 3 weeks and Taxol every 3 weeks.
    The AC was very hard for me but the Taxol was not bad at all. Fatigue, and bone pain but much more tolerable than the AC. AC left me with peach fuzz on my head and my eyebrows and eyelashes. The Taxol wiped out every last hair on my body.
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #7
    same treatment different diagnosis
    I had the same treatment, but every three weeks, it is pretty much the norm for most people I have talked with. Mine was stage II with two positive lymph nodes. The a/c dosage is the hardest, they cause the most hair loss for most, not all. The taxol was easier, but there was bone pain along with it, but the good thing was my hair did start growing in the middle of that one, don't give up, it is all worth it in the end!
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #8
    Treatment Plan
    Jaavon, I was triple negative stage 3A, so I don't know what treatment options would be given for you. Mimi's diagnosis was the same as yours, so she can tell you what options were presented. I know we both chose TAC, 6 treatments of cytoxin, adriamycin, and taxetere. My local oncologist recommended a trial with Avastin. I went with TAC on the strong recommendation of an oncologist in St. Louis.
  • stox4bux
    stox4bux Member Posts: 29
    #9
    Hi Jaavon
    I have a similar diagnosis as you have except that one of my lymph nodes was positive. The treatment prescribed for me by my onc at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NY is identical to yours. I will start with the treatments sometime in the next week or two and am already less anxious about the effects of it, after I read some of the comments from other cancer survivors. It's reassuring to read that there seems to be a general consensus from onc's around the country on the proper protocol for our type of cancer.

    All the best to you.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #10
    stox4bux said:

    Hi Jaavon
    I have a similar diagnosis as you have except that one of my lymph nodes was positive. The treatment prescribed for me by my onc at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NY is identical to yours. I will start with the treatments sometime in the next week or two and am already less anxious about the effects of it, after I read some of the comments from other cancer survivors. It's reassuring to read that there seems to be a general consensus from onc's around the country on the proper protocol for our type of cancer.

    All the best to you.

    Hello, stox4bux!
    Is this your first post? If so, it's very buried in this thread.

    I welcome you here! And strongly suggest you begin a new thread/topic of discussion, and introduce yourself to the group. You will then be warmly welcomed by many. We're all here to help & share advice, offer support & encouragement.

    My chemo was also 6 sessions of TAC, via IV infusions. Not easy; yet, doable. Sloan Kettering has an excellent reputation - am glad to know you'll have excellent care.

    Best wishes to you.

    Kind regards, Susan

    P.S.: I am an almost 6 year survivor...

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