Topic: Is 3rd generation chemo beneficial for node negative patient?

Hi,

I got the same problem. He said that 3rd regimen would be overkill so she got CEF x 6.

But I heard that for example that FEC x 3 follow but D x 3 is a third regimen and is better than CEF.

Also less long term side-effects because there is two group (FEC and D).

Chemo is complecated and I guess this is why oncologist as their own guide sometimes. They would go crazy if they start analysing every possibities.

I'm node negative but I did do 3rd gen. and I welcomed it! I did TACx6 and would have taken anything stronger if a 4th gen. had happened down the pike at the last minute. Node neg. is not the only variable to look at. I am triple negative - many oncologists view that as equivalent to a positive node. Also, the nodes are not the only avenue for spread beyond the primary tumor. A careful reading of the pathology report can indicate whether there was any lymphatic/vascular invasion in the area of the tumor bed itself. In my case it was absent in one and present in the other. Another telling variable is the Grade of the carcinoma. A Grade 1 indicates a slow-growing, well-differentiated tumor cell. A Grade 3, even in a tumor of the same size, location, node neg, etc. is an entirely different beast. It indicates poorly differentiated cells, likely to be highly aggressive and fast growing. Add in a pre-menopausal patient and there's even greater llikelihood of an aggrresive tumor.

These are just some of the factors that might be used in suggesting a Gen.3 protocol in node neg. breast cancer, even w/ small tumors - and why some of us might jump at the opportunity. I do like it when an oncologist thoroughly analyzes the possibilites.