Starting TCHP soon
Hello everyone! I’ve been going through some of the posts not quite ready to join in but I’m starting treatment soon and it feels right. I just turned 40 and was diagnosed in January with stage 1 triple positive IDC. After a lumpectomy they found 1 positive lymph node which oddly didn’t change my staging - the surgeon was surprised too. My oncologist wants to start TCHP with Docetaxel, carbonation, herceptin and perjeta in a couple of weeks. Thinking of getting a second opinion - anyone else with a similar diagnosis getting a less intense regimen? I’m worried about everything - not being able to continue teaching from the side effects, permanent hair loss from the Docetaxel, infection. What else? I’m considering cold capping but why does it have to be so expensive?!
I guess that’s all for now. Wishing everyone who has just been diagnosed, is going through treatment or is starting treatment soon the best of luck!
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You might want to ask your MO about skipping the carboplatin. Four years ago I participated in one of the Compass Her2 trials and received THP (paclitaxel, herceptin, perjeta) instead of TCHP. There have been other similar trials and the results are showing that adding carboplatin does not increase pCR rates or disease-free survival rates; it only adds unnecessary toxicity.
You'll have to do a little googling if you want the study literature to show your doctor and there are also several podcasts, including asco and onclive where some leading oncologists are saying they are now only giving THP.
I did my chemo before surgery, and then Kadcyla after. Since you've already had surgery I don't know if that's the reason your MO wants to do TCHP. If your tumor was high grade/aggressive, then your doctor might have good reasons for adding carboplatin. You are also pre-menopause which usually has a higher recurrence risk. I didn't cold cap but paclitaxel (Taxol) does not have the same risk of permanent hair loss that docetaxel does.
I was node negative but I think you could have up to 2 positive nodes for the trial I was in. You would definitely need radiation for the node, I think.
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I agree with Maggiehopley. No one's really using TCHP anymore and Enhertu with Perjeta was recently approved to replace THP as a 1st line treatment.
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Hello everyone
My sister is currently receiving her first infusion and is in very good spirits. Now, if you could tell me the expected daily effects of the first of her six chemotherapy cycles, I would be able to follow them. The doctor gave her an injection to be given in 72 hours... I think it's for white blood cells. I told her to suck on ice, and she's using gloves and socks for her hands and feet. I told her to drink plenty of water and to move around when she feels well. I also told her to rest more between days 3-7, and to eat small amounts of food, like dried beans and meat, even if she doesn't feel like it.I would appreciate it if you could share any thoughts you have with me.
I love you all.
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Hi olliek, Im sending you all good thoughts. Been where you are and it's a hard decision. It's never a bad idea to get a second opinion from a trusted dr. And look at the research as someone suggested above. There's probably more research than when I made my treatment decision.
I did TCHP 3 years ago. Mine was stage 1 triple pos, grade 3 and my chemo was done before my lumpectomy. The tumor was on the line of whether to do thp or TCHP. My Dr. really thought I should do TCHP and I trusted her expertise. I wanted to hit it as hard as I could stand in the hopes it would not come back. There were no remaining cancer cells at surgery and I'm happy to report that I am still cancer free 3 years later.
The side effects were manageable but it certainly wasn't something I'd wish on my worst enemy. I worked at home through treatment, taking days off when I was too tired. By the end of the 6 rounds, I was very fatigued.
I did cold cap and while it didn't save all my hair during treatment, it left me enough to stick out under hats so I looked like I still had hair. And my hair grew back almost as thick as it had been before. It is a lot of money though.
I hope you get enough information to make a decision that feels right to you. Take good care of yourself 💓
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