Anyone do Taxol, then Herceptin only? Stage 1

LittleLegos · 03-07-2007, 06:08 PM

One onc recommends TCH and another one thinks just doing Taxol followed by Herceptin will do the job. The more I think about it, the more comfortable I feel with less chemo. I mean, who wants more chemo? Anyway I am borderline for even needing chemo, maybe this is a good compromise?

Any thoughts?

I wonder if the Taxol is instead of doing A/C because of heart concerns?

Audrey · 03-07-2007, 06:33 PM

I had A/C, followed by weekly Taxol, followed by Herceptin for one year and am doing fine. My treatment was the protocol for a clinical trial for Herceptin several years ago, and although this treatment worked for me, I know that studies showed that Herceptin actually works better when given together with Taxol. If I were you and had the opportunity to take Taxol together with Herceptin I would go for that since that combination produced the most significant results. I'm sure you can find the citation/link to the studies on this site...best of luck to you whatever you decide!

Mary Jo · 03-07-2007, 07:25 PM

Hello,

I had A/C followed by Taxol with herceptin. My first taxol treatment was given with herceptin. Then I received taxol every 2 weeks and herceptin every 3. Every now and then they would fall on the same day and would receive both. Made for a long treatment day. BUT, as the previous post said, studies did show that taxol and herceptin received together showed very promising results.

Mary Jo

Becky · 03-07-2007, 07:32 PM

I was like Audrey and got the Herceptin after all chemo was over but if I was you and if I could have, combining Taxol with the Herceptin is the best option as it is shown to work together better.

janet/FL · 03-07-2007, 07:42 PM

Hi Legos
Did you question your doctor as why he would want to do Taxol separately? I would ask for further information from him. And you might find the studies discussed above and show him a copy. I found my doctor open to discussing type of taxol drug and treatment of every week vs his original thought of every three weeks.

LittleLegos · 03-07-2007, 08:07 PM

I don't know if Taxol is recommended with Herceptin or to be followed by Herceptin. The "recommendation" came as a quick email. I don't have a real visit until next Friday. She was just checking in after the tumor board. We're still waiting on my final pathology review (2nd) also.

I'm very interested in the Herceptin along with Taxol. That sounds like a good idea.

I'm also thinking that Taxol with Herceptin is very similar perhaps to TCH without the C of course. The T in TCH is Taxatore though.

Thanks again!

harrie · 03-07-2007, 10:24 PM

I had almost the identical surgical resuts as what you had. I am currently doing TCH, Taxotere, Carboplatin and herceptin.

03-07-2007, 11:36 PM

Hi--my diagnosis was similar, and my oncologist recommended herceptin and taxol together for four rounds, every three weeks. But then my CA 27-29 came back elevated, so I suggested we throw in carboplatin for good measure. I stopped after two rounds for various reasons that I regret now. Make sure you're not bashful about getting the meds you'll need to control the side effects and you'll do great. I think it's a good idea to do the chemo. The first radiologist I saw was very direct when I asked him hard questions, one of which was if you had to do either chemo or radiation, which would you do. He said emphatically chemo, as it's systemic and radiation is only local. Not that he was recommending an either/or. But he definitely thought chemo was called for in HER2 positive patients even when the cancer was very small as in our cases.

Good luck!