How Long Have You Been On Taxol (Stage IV)?

[KDR]

Everyone,
Hope this post finds you all well and happy.
I am wondering how long you stayed on Taxol, on an indefinite basis? My oncologist has had survivors on for years and years. I'm doing well, currently NED, but have to continue treatment as my doctor believes
evidence-based medicine indicates a stronger cancer could occur should I stop (right now). I achieved NED status after six months of treatment, and I'm doing well, but am starting to feel tired.
Thanks,
Karen

[Jackie07]

Karen,

Most members are (have been) on Herceptin maintenance. One way to see the use of Taxol (or other types of Taxane) is to look at the long-term (long-time) survivor threads (Bejuice has started one of the threads lately) and screen members' treatment history in the signature field.

Hope others will see this and reply.

[jellybean]

I would get a second opinion. I was given TCH (Taxol, Carboplatin, and Herceptin) when I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer (metastatic from the get go). After 3 cycles (months) I was NED. I continued the chemo for 3 more months for a total of 6 months. I have been on Herceptin and Femara and Zoladex and Zometa only (without chemo) since that time, and it has been about 3.5 years since I stopped the chemo. I am still (knock wood) NED. (I did later have cancer found in my good breast, but it was caught very early and was tiny.)

[chrisy]

My doctors (one is a top researcher in Breast Cancer) had a different opinion, which was to hit it hard (TCH) for a limited time (6 cycles), then try and maintain on Herceptin alone. Then if/when the cancer recurs, you can still get synergy by adding the chemo back. Or try other, more targeted approaches.

We considered it a "less is more" approach which takes into consideration the importance of conserving your body's personal resources and strength. As you know, with Stage IV it is a marathon, not a sprint.

Everyone's situation is different of course, and I've also found that if you get 2 opinions you have to be prepared for (at least) 2 possible recommendations! However, both of my oncologists basically concurred on the combo treatment followed by maintenance. In my case (as in yours) the chemo smacked things into remission. I was able to maintain on herceptin alone for 2 years after that. Like you, I was "chemo naive" at Stage IV diagnosis (with I think much more extensive liver involvement than you) but I don't know if that was a factor.

At a minimum, your doctor may consider a chemo holiday appropriate. And of course you can get other opinions. And in the end, it's your decision!

In retrospect, I think the course I took was a good one for me - and is a fairly standard approach. I enjoyed a complete remission for a couple of years; then had options to go back into a traditional chemo again or choose to participate in trials of more targeted agents (which I did).

All that has allowed me to "buy time" in a way that has not interfered with my participation in life. One thing my oncologist has said to me on each occasion (even now, following a questionable scan) is "you have a lot of options".

And I think at this point, this is true for you as well.

Take care

[Lauriesh]

I also did 6 months of taxotere,Herceptin after being diagnosed stage 4, and am now doing Herceptin. I plan on adding in tykerb at the end of this month, and I am hoping that this combo will keep me NED for a long time.

I did taxol for three months when I was first diagnosed, stage 2 in 2005. I developed horrible neuropathy and had fatigue also. It did work though. I was NED for 5 years.


I belong to a number of different stage 4 boards, and I don't think I have ever heard of someone who is NED continue on with chemo indefinitely.

Laurie

[Ellie F]

I agree with what has been already said. Here in England it seems to follow the same pattern.

Ellie

[KDR]

Thanks, Chrisy. What is chemo naive? I have been very anxious myself about the possibility of stopping the chemo as it seems my cancer is very aggressive (pathologically speaking). So, while I have noticed that some have stopped chemo, it also concerned me that mets occurred in many instances within just a few months. It's a hard call. I really appreciate the sharing of information and personal stories here. Some theorize that as long as chemo side affects are minimal, one should wear that shield.
I guess the next few months will be quite telling on how to proceed...and my oncologist will most likely require at least another scan or two to see if I've maintained NED. It was mentioned we might be discussing options in July.
Thanks,
Karen

[chrisy]

Chemo naive... Had never been exposed to chemo before. Ditzy cancer cells that Didnot know there was danger out there until WHAM comes the taxol.

[Trish]

Karen
As you can see from my signature I have been on one chemo or another since early 2007, soon after my liver mets were diagnosed. Unfortunately I have never made NED and have switched chemos when the tumour markers have started to climb. I have been on Abraxane since August and although my TMs are still dropping I am going to stop for a while because the fatigue is starting to make my usual busy life more effortful. I have peripheral neuropathy but it is manageable so that wasn't the key factor in my decision. I will continue Herceptin and Tykerb and possibly add an anti hormonal and see how things go. There are a lot of unknowns and guesswork involved in these sorts of decisions. You have to balance the long term possibility of serious problems from chemo with the benefits. It is great that you are NED but this makes it hard to evaluate the benefits of being on Taxol. Good luck with your decision, may NED end your signitaure permanently!
Trish