Topic: How long is your treatment?

Chemo for early BC is given from 8 to 24 weeks depending on the drugs, dose and regimens.

In addition, you will be given Herceptin, which is considered a biologic agent not chemo, over a year.

In addition you will be a candidate for certain hormonal therapies also. I'm not sure how long they are given for.

Cathi, I notice that your signature line says "mets" - so I assume you are stage IV. A lot of us on this forum are early stage though of course there are also some with mets. For non-metastatic HER2+ BC, the typical chemo's are 6 3-week cycles of TCH or 4 2-week cycles of AC followed by 4 of TH and for both, in the US, the Herceptin is continued until it has been given for a year. Herceptin often gets lumped in with chemo but, as the others have said, it isn't really chemo. The real chemo part is about 4 months.

But metastatic cancer has its own set of chemo regimens and they may be continued longer. Sometimes with mets, the Herceptin is continued for years.

i completed 24 chemos.. AC X 4, taxol X 4... then i did 16 light dose taxols, every week for 3 wks and then a week off... surgery and radiation betw/ the two sets.  that's a lot of bald, but not a lot of discomfort.

i survived without hardly any interruption in my life.  there is light at the end of the tunnel.  i cried all through my last chemo.

Hi Cathicam

I am stage IV with bone mets and presently, although it is considered a 'chemo drug' it is not chemo therapy.  I am treated with a daily pill, a hormone and an infusion every 4 weeks.  Depending on how it is working, I will on this treatment or a similar treatment for the duration of my days - which I hope will be a very long time.  Should it spread to someplace else - soft tissue organs - then things will be re-evaluated - possibly chemo, radiation, surgery - who knows but for now - treatment will be life long.  And I can live with that.

God Bless and Happy Holidays!

I don't really know what a lot of treatments are but that really does sound like a lot. I was told that mine would be from 3-6 mos. I haven't started it yet but I sure hope it doesn't last for a whole year. That sounds like that could really break your body down. I wish you the best of luck and health in regards to the outcome of your treatment.

I also see you have mets in your line, and it's true that the protocols are different for stage IV.  I was diagnosed stage IV from the start and had 6 rounds of the heavy duty stuff (TCH) and then have continued on herceptin and now tykerb.  It was explained to me that more than likely I would be taking something until it didn't work anymore and then move on to another chemo combo.  Since you are er+\pr+ that gives you the ability to take hormonals and hopefully give you lots more time before you have to start additional chemos.  If you read posts on the stage IV forum you will see lots of women are living and have great QOL despite mets.  Best to you!! 

Hello ladies.....I am actually done with chemo. I had a double mastectomy on 5/21/2009. Then I started chemo June 15th (or 16th) completed my last chemo on Nov. 6, 2009 so for me it was six months. I did 12 weekly Taxol then 4 FAC every three weeks. I then took a 3 week break and began radiation. I just comleted #23 this morning. I was scheduled for 30 treatments, 25 regular and 5 boost. Well saw my Radiation Onc. this morning to check the skin....He says because of my age and the nature of my (UGLY) cancer then he would like to do 2 more boost....SO I WILL DO 32 instead of 30. I say COME ON....oh yea I am 36....

May God Bless Us ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!