Calling all TNs
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Ahh Annie girl..so sorry to hear about your sister...it's hard to stay up emotionally when there are so many bad things going on...hard to find any good news sometimes...
and hello sweet pickle...love your screen name....almost being done with ac is a good thing...not sure if doing 12x taxol is better medically than 4x dd taxol..but you would be done 4 weeks earlier with the dose dense....
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http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20080417c
Taxol Weekly Better Than Every Three Weeks for Breast Cancer
Published on April 17, 2008 at 12:00 am
Last modified on November 19, 2012 at 5:15 pm
TOPIC: Chemotherapy
TAGS: Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin), Cytoxan (chemical name: cyclophosphamide), Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel), Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel), Dose Dense, and Standard
A study found that getting Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel) weekly had more benefits than getting Taxol every 3 weeks for women diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes or women diagnosed with breast cancer that hadn't spread to the lymph nodes but was considered high risk. Getting Taxol every week also had more benefits than getting Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) weekly or every 3 weeks for these women.
In this study of 5,000 women, more women who received Taxol once a week were likely to be alive and free of breast cancer 5 years after being diagnosed compared to women who received Taxol every 3 weeks OR women who received Taxotere (either weekly or every 3 weeks). All the women received Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin) and Cytoxan (chemical name: cyclophosphamide) before receiving either Taxol or Taxotere.
For women diagnosed with early-stage, lymph-node-positive breast cancer, treatment often includes chemotherapy with Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by a taxane. This chemotherapy regimen is sometimes called AC followed by T. Taxol, Taxotere, and Abraxane (chemical name: paclitaxel) are all taxanes. In the AC followed by T regimen, a taxane is usually given as 4 treatments over 12 weeks -- 1 treatment every 3 weeks.
In this study, the researchers compared the usual schedule of giving Taxol or Taxotere every 3 weeks to a different schedule that gave a lower dose of Taxol or Taxotere every week for 12 weeks. The women who got Taxol every week were 27% more likely to be alive and free of breast cancer 5 years after diagnosis compared to those who received the standard Taxol treatment schedule. The women who got Taxol every week also were more likely to be alive 5 years after diagnosis compared to women who got Taxotere (either weekly or every 3 weeks). Abraxane was not looked at in this study.
For each medicine and treatment schedule the chances of being alive 5 years after diagnosis are:
Taxol once a week: 89.7%
Taxol once every 3 weeks: 86.5%
Taxotere once every 3 weeks: 87.3%
Taxotere once a week: 86.2%
Some doctors have wondered whether a taxane has benefits for women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. This study found that women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer did benefit from getting a taxane.
Women who got Taxol or Taxotere once a week instead of every 3 weeks seemed to have less severe side effects from the chemotherapy. This is probably because each Taxol or Taxotere dose was slightly less than half the standard dose. On the other hand, these women had to get treatment every week instead of every 3 weeks. It may be harder to plan your life around getting treatment every week than getting treatment every 3 weeks.
If chemotherapy that includes a taxane is going to be a part of your treatment plan, you might want to talk to your doctor about this study and consider asking these questions:
Which taxane (Taxol, Taxotere, or Abraxane) is recommended for me? Why?
Which treatment schedule (weekly or every 3 weeks) is recommended? Why?
In the breastcancer.org Chemotherapy section you can learn more about how chemo works, when it's used, and the combinations that might be used.
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Annie - so sorry to hear about your sister. My thoughts are with you during this rough time.
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interesting study but 5 years old...how about a study comparing every two weeks?
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I don't know. My onc said T every week helps prevent tumor regrowth between cycles. She had had good success with it with her TN patients. I responded much better to taxol than A/C. Fingers crossed for path report after my surgery in ten days.
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anyone feeling like crap this weekend.. me included need to pick myself up, shake out the debris and get on with it. think its the metformin, sort of gives me a high but not really, a feeling of lightness which feels good but at the same time feel a bit floaty and hard to concentrate on the things that i normally do.
so im dusting off all the weird feelings im having right now and going for a huge walk with my music blasting to clear out the nest of negative shiattte up there.
anyone want to come with me so we are fresh for tomorrow. fresh and positive...c'mon girls!
this is such a head banger of a journey, forward, sideways, backwards - uphill here we go again.
loves you all
xx
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It's interesting that none of the Taxol studies seem to address the dose dense protocol, which is every two weeks.
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Perhaps the studies are too old? Dose dense only became possible with the advent of nuelasta.
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I still have my port and it will be two years since diagnosis next Tuesday. The oncologist has recently mentioned getting it out which makes me feel good, but I've delayed it simply because my veins are so small and I have to get blood tests every three months. I haven't had reconstruction yet either, so thought I would do it at the same time.
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I requested to have my port removed asap after chemo was done. As soon as my blood work came back clean it was scheduled in office and as mentioned just a pin prick and then felt nothing else. This was surprising to me as the port was quite the PITA for me. Hurt all the time...guessing somethng to do with a nerve. Even now the vein in the neck that it was placed in gives me trouble.
4 weeks til surgery for a retry on failed diep on the left side. getting nervous a little thinking about going through such an extensive thing but this time it will be a gap flap. Doc said easier on the patient and harder on the doc...here's to hoping she is right
Maggie
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Welcome SweetPickle! Do you live in Mt. Olive
I live near the coast. I've always wanted to go to the Mt. Olive New Year's Pickle drop.
I was first dx at 42, my boys were 4 and 9. I am so glad you have your very own paramedic! I am so jealous. I hope they get your chemo schedule sorted and that you have few side effects. Rest when you can.0 -
Blimey Karen that is 9 years ago. You are wonder woman. What an inspiration for us.
SweetPickle what a lovely name. I love pickle. Mount Olive, get it!! Sorry ladies its just my sense of humour gone haywire waiting for tomorrowl.
Liv I'll come with you. I could do with a dusting off. Port out tomorow and my tummy is doing somersaults already and I don't feel like eating so I could do with some forwards, sidewards and uphill then I won't feel so backwards.
Mags thinking of you for your surgery coming up.
Have a great night with sweet dreams. Annie
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Inspired: You asked about additional surgery to remove what has been determined ot be birads 3, likely scar tissue. Each of us is different, but I believe scans have their usefulness and when they say malignancy is highly unlikely, it's worth accepting that, and doing additional scans to monitor. I very much doubt that additional surgery would resolve the issue anyway, and may create more scar tissue in fact... bottom line, take your doctor's best advice is my advice.
English etc: Yes, I heard about curcumin at the time I was completing treatment. The science seems to be leaning in its favour, so for that reason I take a supplement. It's expensive though.
Re DD cycles: It would be nice to see biweekly taxol up against weekly for TN. Also, biweekly AC up against FEC (which is done triweekly). I'm not sure neulasta is a factor here, do people take neulasta while on taxol? (I didn't)
Annie: So very sorry about your sister. It's such a special relationship, one to treasure always.
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I needed Neulasta with DD Taxol. As a matter of fact, I needed all the anti-nausea drugs, too. I would like to know how the two protocols compare.
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I am on dose dense taxol and I take the Neulasta in between treatments. Personally, I am finding Taxol to be a very nasty treatment - the aches and pains are so persistent and no pain meds seem to touch it much, especially for the first 5-6 days after treatment. I don't get the nausea like on AC which is a plus. I got an allergic reaction at my last taxol infusion - very scary - almost enough for me to call it quits. Surely all those rogue cells must be killed off by now after 4 AC, and 2 Taxol!!!
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LUV- I read you were given Emmend for the carbo. I had that too. I hope they told you it is in the same family as Zofran so you can't take any for several days I think on day 5 is ok and to stick with the compazine until then. Also it is very constipating so stay on top of that. Ginger in every form helped as well. Another friend on carbo did accupuncture and said it helped.
Have a great trip!
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I am having such a hard time with round 3 of TAC. I am an emotional mess, I don't know how I can do 3 more of these. I question everything and I am so damn scared again. For some odd reason my hair is starting to grow on my head...why?? Does that mean TAC isn't working? I don't understand.
I go back to work tomorrow and I am having such a hard time finding the motivation and I work from home. I have so much of this journey to go.
I am hoping that I wake up in better spirits tomorrow.
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Jenjenl, I didn't do the 3 together, I did 12 taxol (not taxotere), then 4 AC. When I had 2 AC left I just wanted to quit. I didn't feel like I could physically or emotionally handle any more, but I did, and you will too. Don't worry about your hair growing back, it has nothing to do with it working or not. I thought the same thing and my onc put that theory to rest for me. You are half way done with chemo. Way to go, Jen! Just see it as your medicine to eliminate any rogue cancer cells in your body. You can do it!
I didn't work during treatment so I cannot help you there. Some of these ladies worked while going through treatment. Sheesh... super women! Don't be too hard on yourself and remember the most important thing is to take care of YOU! (!!!!!) Best wishes to you.
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NJPRN - I am getting IV aloxi as a pre-med and I was told I could take Zofran on Friday night (got the aloxi on Wednesday morning). And that is a change from last week when they told me not to take Zofran until Sunday. There was no mention of a conflict with Zofran and Emend, I'll check up on that.
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To all you dear ladies,
I haven't psoted in awhile but seems there is so much I have missed. Luv was thinking about you so glad to see your post althoguh sorry for all the nausea.
Saw this on facebook and got a chuckle out of it although maybe that is because I am 21 months out from my diagnosis.
http://www.upworthy.com/this-is-what-happens-when-advertising-is-done-for-women-by-women?g=2&c=ufb1
Wishing everyone a good evening.
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Luah - my understanding about DD tx comes from a well informed oncology nurse who said that DD tx only became possible because of neulasta. Prior to that, protocol was every three weeks. I can only speak to DD AC/T as that was the discussion. I don't know how weekly taxol or other drug combinations work re neulasta. I know lots of people get their chemo every three weeks. Perhaps not all are suitable for DD or can work with neulasta etc. I know neulasta is very expensive and is perhaps not covered by insurance for everyone. I don't know if that is a factor with MOs choosing a protocol?
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I had nuelasta with each treatment 4 ac and 4 taxol...for you newer ladies..I hated that shot...for the older ladies (and I don't mean old..I mean been here awhile)..you already know I hated that shot...I will whine forever about that dang thing...that shot was the only thing that brought me down...I still think I would have been fine without it but whatever...I really shouldn't be complaining..but I hated that thing...if 12x taxol means no neulasta...hmm..I may have considered that,
jenjen..hear your concern about the hair growing back...you are probably thinking that the chemo isn't working..ask your onc...my hair started coming back wth taxol...maybe it's the same type of thing...
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Jenjenl - I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad emotionally. My Dad, who was a MD, told me that the steroids could be causing me to feel like such an emotional mess. I felt better knowing it was my brain on drugs
I hope you are feeling better soon. When people ask how they can help - give them a list!0 -
Hi ladies
I had AC x 4 then, was suppposed to have Taxol x 12 but only managed 7.
Adagio I had an allergic reaction to Taxol as well. Yes it was very frightening but they gave me some Diazepam and a short break and then tried again and it went okay which is just as well cause the onco nurse said if the reaction happens the second time its worse so I'm glad it went ok. As above I only managed 7/12 and had such bad neuropathy in my hands and fingers they stopped it. I was willing to try one more but they said it would be irresponsible of them to give it as it may stuff up my job for me (Typist).
Jenjen I did work my full hours on chemo but on the bad days I just went slow and made it up at the weekend but many many times I was ready to quit believe me but the girls on here helped me through as they will all of you undergoing treatment now.
Luah, Sugar and Christine, thank you for your kind words re my sister. Everyone on here has been so supportive, you are all my sisters now and I love you all.
Well ladies today was port removal day and I live to tell the tale. God knows why I get myself all worked up each time I have something done. Was over in a jiffy. I can't remember who said it was only a little prick and thats all but they were so right. My surgeon gave me a local and told me jokes all the way through it so I did nothing but laugh. I was surprised though that when it came out the whole thing was only about 8 inches long so how the heck did they get that through my chest, up to my shoulder and then along my chest and into my heart, anybody know. It wasn't long enough for that. I was going to ask but laughed so much. The worst bit was the drapes they put over me as they were sticky on one side and got stuck to my right nipple. That hurt more than the jabs.
So apart from seeing my surgeon every three months thats me now for whatever..............
Titan we've got a stat holiday tomorrow so I am going to laze in bed and get up when I want to. Will think of you !!
Good night ladies with hopefully no side effects and only sweet dreams. Annie
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Painting I just watched your video. To be honest I can't say I was thinking too much about breast cancer at the time!!!! but wonderful pics. Just great and so were the lads.
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Holy crap,
I haven't even felt well enough to get on these boards and they are my lifeline. Tx #2 last Thursday kicked my but. Had the headache/neck ache from hell and couldn't even sit up for more than a few minutes. Weird h/a usually hurt more laying down but not mine. Neck and shoulders felt to weak to even hold me upright. Spent many minutes/hours in the bathtub with my head in the warm water. Thank goodness we got a big tub when we bought our home. Tastebuds are all messed up only thing that tastes good is Hawaiian Punch and Fudgsicles. Weird meals. Forcing a few bites in but was in pretty decent nutritional state before this started but gotta get the protein in. Gonna try Lee's Fage Yogurt with juice. I love Fage yogurt so that should go down. I have actually been sitting up for 3.5 hours this am so making progress.
Missed you all while so out of it.
Hugs, Sheryl
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I realize neulasta/neupogen is needed with dd AC (which is what I did), just didn't know that dd taxol had the same WBC debilitating effects that necessitated neulasta too - but I guess it makes sense that it would. I did 12 taxol and never had any neulasta with that - perhaps because the weekly dose is smaller and doesn't hit the WBC the same way. For those suffering from severe pain from the taxol/neulasta combo, it may be worth exploring the option of moving to weekly with your onc.
To all those in treatment and suffering from SEs, big hugs, hang in there!
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Jenjenl, I had TAC also and had my hardest treatment either at round 3 or 4. I agree with Karen, could be the steroids - I would crash a couple days later when the steroids wore off and got very depressed. Many times I felt like nothing was working; it was hopeless, etc. It is very difficult to have a positive attitude when you feel crappy, so just try to get through each day the best you can and you will rebound with a little time. I shaved my head after treatment 1 and I think I had a little bit of stubble when chemo was complete.
Hang in there!
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I had the Nuelasta shot after the DD 4 AC treatments and also after the 4 every other week Taxol treatments. My MO said she usually doesn't give the Nuelasta shot after every Taxol treatment but I had an infections around a TE after the last AC treatment and spent 18 days in the hospital. My counts were so low and took a long time for them to come back up. Then I had kidney failure while in the hospital. I was so very sick. She didn't want to chance it happening again while getting Taxol.
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Hi ladies,
I'm having a bit of a panic attack. Was reading over old posts on this thread and saw that some ladies' oncologists did not want them taking vit supplements during treatment. I didn't take anything during AC but I have been taking a multivitamin called Centrum during wkly Taxol. I checked this with my onc nurse (who spoke to my onc) and that was what they recommended as they said they know that Centrum is ok to take (over other vits). They never said anything about not taking it the day before or day after treatment. Is there anyone that was taking Vits during TX?
Help!
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