Did you get Taxol? If not, is it now too late?

[Barbara2]

Drug a New Weapon Against One Form of Breast Cancer


By Kathleen Doheny


HealthDay Reporter Wednesday, October 10, 2007
<O:p



Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC (http://www.healthday.com/). All rights reserved. <O:p




WEDNESDAY, Oct. 10 (HealthDay News) -- When added to a standard chemotherapy, the drug paclitaxel (Taxol) cuts the recurrence of breast cancer by 41 percent in women with a particular form of tumor, a new study finds.<O:p




Those tumors are called "HER2-positive" because their cells produce an excess of the protein human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2).<O:p




In recent years, cancer specialists have found that breast tumors with different characteristics respond differently to various regimens. The new study adds another piece to that puzzle, experts say...





I wanted and asked for Taxol back in early 2003. At that time, they didn't know (as much about) what is known today about Taxol and Her2+ cancer, and my onc was not too hep on the idea. Then, due to complications with my port, I had to have it removed after finishing the FEC chemo, and the "whether or not to get Taxol" issue came to a close.





When I took herceptin (2 years late), my onc told me I could have Taxol if I wanted it, but that I would have to stop taking the Arimidex, so I turned down the offer. Now it looks like they know for sure, that Taxol is an important part of the cocktail for Her2+breast cancer.





I would suppose it's crazy to think about wanting Taxol now. Plus it would mean stopping Arimidex. Is there anyone else who didn't get Taxol, that is thinking about asking for it "after the fact?"





Here's a link to that whole article:




http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/news-161718-31.html

[KRISS]

Well Barbara I was lucky enough to have it right from the begining. But I would make sure to ask your Onc or even e couple. It is up to us to push the envelope. So ask away.

[Sherryg683]

Is Taxotere a form of Taxol? Aren't they in the same family? Not sure, but I got Taxotere..sherryg

[G. Ann]

Hi Sherry,
My understanding is Taxol and taxotere are part of the taxane drug family.

I did not get Taxol back in 2004; the onc didn't think it was necessary when he was balancing risks and benefits. I was not aware that you could get it after the fact. I had 1+ year lag time for getting Herceptin, but at least I got it. I see onc in 6 weeks and will ask his opinion now that the new info is out.

[Patb]

I am one of the women who did not get Taxol. Four A/C,
radiation, and one year of Herceptin only. I am now going
to ask my oncologist why but I believe she will say it is
because I was node negative. Any suggestions?
patb

[AlaskaAngel]

Patb, until now (per my onc at one point several years ago) the reason I think is that taxanes were considered not to work well in the larger group of those who are HR+, so were used primarily for those in the HR- group. Apparently in looking now, they are seeing what they didn't before -- that in the more limited group of bc that is HER2, those who happen to be HR+ DO benefit. (Which means, you and me at least, and perhaps Barbara too...)

correct me if I am wrong, anyone...

A.A.

[hutchibk]

Barbara, when I started Taxol (with Herc and Carbo... once I was DXed with my first mets), my onc switched me to Aromasin, and I was able to take it while on THC.

[Becky]

You are not wrong that you would benefit from Taxol due to your pathology. Patb may have something to go on as she is still using Herceptin and is not far out from initial therapy however....

Barbara - you are at the 5 yr mark - hooray for you!! Your chances of recurrence are very, very low. None of us have a nonexistant chance but as time passes, that chance diminshes greatly. Also, you were able to be on Herceptin with Arimidex together for a whole year. There are studies that that is a great treatment in itself for metastatic Her2+ ER+ women (and you got that in an adjuvant setting).

One of the reasons ASCO drew a line in the sand on late Herceptin (if one was more than 2 years out) is because those folks were already past the time of the greatest chance of recurrence.

At this point, I would not pursue a Taxane drug. You will never need it since your chance of recurrence is so small. The odds are very much in yours (and Alaska Angel's) side.