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Studies
Phyllis Johnson
Sunday, January 04, 2009 at 05:27 PMre: Studies
bruce2666
Sunday, January 04, 2009 at 09:19 PMHi Phyllis:
We are going to ask her Oncologist tomorrow about any data from the Trial so far. He told us last week that the results of the advantages/disadvantages can only be measured over time from the outcomes of the 2000 patients in the study.
However, I believe that Dianne, my wife, is coming to the conclusion that TAC is the way she will go, because the TAC is teh approved therapy combination for her.
Dianne is 59 and has no health problems before the breast cancer. Her blood pressure is 110/70, her pulse rate is 60-65, and she was concerned about any possibly of heart damage if the same results would be achieved with the TC as the TAC, but this is not known now. And it will be some time before TC may be shown to be as effective. She could opt for the Trial and if she did not get TAC, she could opt out before the first treatment.
Thanks so much for your input. I hope that you are fully cured and doing well.
kindest regards....Bruce
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I agree with Phyllis
PJ Hamel
Monday, January 05, 2009 at 12:04 PMBruce, I had nearly the same diagnosis as your wife, just at an earlier age (47). I did chemo (FEC) and am fine, 7 years later. As Phyllis said, they monitor you VERY closely when you take adriamycin ("A"). It's good to participate in clinical trials if you can, as they advance the research for generations going forward; but it is indeed a very personal, and often difficult, decision to do so. Good luck to her; to you both. And, if you haven't already, you might want to browse our FAQS on TAC chemo. PJH
re: I agree with Phyllis
bruce2666
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 10:15 PMHi PJ:
Dianne has decided to take the TAC over the TC vs. TAC clinical trial. After so many discussions with different ones, she decided that adriamycin should be a part of her treatment since it has been so effective for many years.
Her Oncologist Dr Edenfield was supportive of her decision and stated to her that he is really happy when patients get involved with understanding and being a part of the treatment plan. Dr Edenfield stated that the Clinical Trial of TAC vs TC, in his opinion at stage 3 of the trial, will probably find that only a subset of women will benefit from adriamycin but that will be 8 - 10 years before that will be known based upon results of the patients data. Dr Edenfield is the primary Investigator for the Cancer Center of the Carolinas for this Clinical Trial of TAC vs TC.
Dianne has MUGA scan next Wed and starts 1st round of TAC next Friday, and she is scheduled for 6 treatments very 21 days.
It is our prayer that she will respond positively to the treatment and that the side effects will be minimal.
Thanks...Bruce
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My Chemo...
Michelle Willingham
Monday, January 05, 2009 at 02:30 PMHi Bruce. (Thats my dads name...) I have just read your info and the comments posted here. I must have had a similar diagnosis to PJ as I had FEC treatment aswell. Also my lymph node stauts was 3/27 positive. I then had 12 doses of taxol and 12 months of herceptin. Herceptin has the risk of heart damage aswell and every three months I was sent for a heart scan and my results never changed much from before having Herceptin to finishing it. My last dose was on christmas eve. I am 36 so I know I am a bit younger than your wife. But I am not trying to compare us, I am just meaning to say that whatever treatment they give, they know how much you need to be monitored and will watch the things that they know of that are likely to happen. I think choosing treatment is a personal thing aswell. I think your wife should choose what ever treatment she feels comfortable with after getting all of the information available to her and I wish you both the very best of luck.xxx
re: My Chemo...
bruce2666
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 10:29 PMHi Michelle:
I am sure that your last dose at Christmas was a good present and a good start to the New Year. You are so young at 36 but as my wife's surgeon told her, its just not fair.
Before Dianne's surgery, we went to the Genetic Center in Greenwood SC and had a counseling session. This session was to asses her genetic risk of a Brac 1 or Brac 2 gene mutation, and she was assessed at less than 5% risk.
Dianne had only 1 postive out of 13 nodes, which was a sentinel node found in her initial surgery. It was odd because after her 1st surgery, the surgeon told me that the 3 sentinel nodes looked fine. However, we found out after the pathology report was issued that the microscope picked up some cancer in 1 node during the post surgery patholology testing of the 3 nodes.
Well, she begins chemo next Friday and we pray for the best outcome.
Wish the best for you in 2009 and beyond, and that you will stay cancer free.
Bruce
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Since the TC is still in a study, probably no one knows for sure if it will be as effective. However, since they have moved on to Stage III trials, there must be some early stats that show promise. Can you ask the doctors for the studies so far and look at the actual data? These kinds of decisions are very personal. How much additional risk is a patient willing to take for a statistically improved outcome? Only your wife can say what her risk tolerance is--both for the possible spread of her cancer and for the possible side effects. A second opinion may help clarify the risks and benefits for you.
I had Adriamycin (the A in TAC), at age 50 (as well as the other two drugs) and I have had no heart damage, but it is true that some people do. If she gets the TAC, her heart will be closely monitored and the drug can be stopped if she starts showing symptoms of heart trouble. In fact, they will do some tests before starting to make sure her heart is in good shape.
Whatever she decides, I'd recommend that she not look back and second guess herself if anything goes wrong. All anyone can do is make their best guess about what is best at the time and then move forward with hope.