taxotere and herceptin w/o carboplatin

pie · 08-12-2010, 09:42 AM

I have consulted with one oncologist and am going to go for a second opinion. I was told that I would be given 6 rounds of TCH. I looked up the side effects of carboplatin and was scared silly. Has anyone received only T/H?

Ruth Ann · 08-12-2010, 10:12 AM

Yes, I have, as I was allergic to the carboplatin and also my hearing was starting to be affected.
So I only had one dose of the carboplatin and then my oncologist switched me to just the taxotere and herceptin. That was in 2007 and I am doing well.
Good luck and thoughts coming your way

Ruth Ann

das · 08-12-2010, 10:17 AM

Good question. I found this article from 2006 but the taxane is paclitaxel rather than docetaxel.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...?dopt=Citation

Here is another article perhaps more specific to your question

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...?dopt=Citation

Mary Anne in TX · 08-12-2010, 02:54 PM

I did taxotere with Adriamycin and then did Taxol, Carboplatin and herceptin. I did not find it so very hard after the other 2. I did have a reaction to taxol one time, but they zapped me with benydril and then always gave it to me over a longer time. I had good response to the combination....my tms went down well. ma

BonnieR · 08-12-2010, 05:22 PM

Pie, I understand your fear. I had a disproportionate fear of Herceptin. Turned out to be for naught. And in the end I did not even have alot of SEs that other people experienced. We are all so different in reactions. I think if we dwelled on potential side effects we would refuse everything! I tried to focus on the good it was doing me. Even if I did not like having to DO it in the first place.
Having said that, one of the docs who I saw for a second opinion did suggest that I have Herceptin and Taxol, leaving out the Carboplatin. But I opted for the whole enchilada. This is an issue to discuss with your doctors, pros and cons. Write down your questions and concerns. And the answers. Bring someone with you.
And keep the faith.

'lizbeth · 08-12-2010, 06:38 PM

I only did Taxotere with Herceptin. 6 treatments of Taxotere and an entire year of Herceptin. My hearing is bad enough.

Followed up with the GP2 vaccine trial which I'm currently in the booster phase.

Taxotere was rough. If I had to do it again I'd seriously consider Abraxane and Herceptin.

jhandley · 08-12-2010, 10:59 PM

I have just had my last abraxane with herceptin. This was a very tolerable combination..I worked 3 days a week, went on outdoor ed camps and xc skiing in the worst side effects week. I know that carboplatin gives some advantage in the short term but deosn't show any advantage in overall survival.
Abraxane is twice as effective as taxol and easier to tolerate than taxotere. Perhaps you should think about this combo?
Cheers
Jackie (down under)

Lori R · 08-13-2010, 05:33 AM

Pie,
I wanted to let you know that my first line treatment was Taxotere + Herceptin only. No Carboplatin. Not certain what to think of that because I did have a recurrance in about 14 months. However, I was stage IV from the get go.

My 2nd treatment was Abraxane. WAY WAY more tolerable than the taxotere. I was able to get another year.

There are members on the board that began with a taxane and then had Navelbine. I think that combination was quite successful.

Best of luck with your decision. They are never easy to make.

das · 08-13-2010, 08:11 AM

Does anyone have a reference for a phase III trial of abraxane and herceptin compared to other chemotherapy combinations?