Is TC chemotherapy as effective as CMF chemotherapy?
I am 40 yrs old and recently had a lumpectomy to remove a 1.4cm invasive ductal carcinoma and now am faced with choosing a chemotherapy regime. My nodes were negative and the tumor was ER positive (35%). The oncologist wants me to choose between 4 rounds of TC chemotherapy and 6 months of CMF chemotherapy. Any guidance on how to pick between the 2 would be appreciated!
Honie, ask your doctor if you can have the Oncotype-DX test, which predicts how effective certain kinds of chemotherapy will be for you. I know more and more women are finding that this test has really helped them make a decision.
For more information about CMF, see our FAQS:
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/10884/chemo-faqs-cmf/
As for TC, I don't know what that is - haven't heard of it. But take a look at this FAQ on AC+ T chemo:
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/10887/ac-act-tac/
Hope this helps, Honie. Good luck -PJH
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Hi,
I had the oncotype DX test done. My score was 27- an intermediate result meaning I have a 17% chance of recurrence in 10 years. So additional TC adjuvant chemotherapy will give me an added 5% reduction in possible metastasis over 10 years. My oncologist thought that this number is worth going through TC chemo. (Mastectomy, no nodal involvement, ER/PR positive, HER2 negative, 3.5 cm mucinous breast cancer).
You should start adjuvant chemo within 8 weeks of your lumpectomy. My first chemo was on June 3, 2008. The TC protocol went surprisingly smoothly. It felt like a 3 day flu, and I think the next 3 will go by quickly. I am 52 years old and only missed one day of work so far.
Good luck with your decision. TC chemo seems very do-able to me.
June Chan
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Filene Lehman
Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 10:01 PM
June Chan
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Dear Filene,
Your Oncogene test score is lower than mine. Your doctor is being cautious- just like mine was.
I had 4 rounds of Taxotere Cytoxan chemotherapy from June-August 2008. I did lose all of my hair by September. It grew back very nicely and I got so many compliments that I'm keeping it short now.
I felt tired for two days (crash days 4-5 after TC) but went to work otherwise. The dexamethasone (steroid) made me really hungry. My taste buds went for about 5 days each time, so I planned evenings out with friends to avoid those days. I experienced no nausea! I remember taking over-the-counter tylenol or advil on just a few days during those months.
Stay positive! I used baseball caps, skullcaps and do-rags to cover my head for three months. My friends and family sent me a variety.
You can get through this!
June
Hi, I had the oncotype DX test also and my score was 25. 16% chance of recurrence in 10 years. (Lumpectomy, no nodal involvement, ER/PR +, HER2/-, 6 mm Invasive Ductal Carcenoma with LVI.) I guess that means it invaded the breast lymph nodes but didn't get to the lymph nodes. The doctor's recommend TC adjuvant chemotherapy. This has been an awful decision for me. The worst has been knowing I will lose my hair. You sound like you didn't lose your hair. I am 48 years old and I hope I do half as well as you. Thank you for sharing. Filene Lehman, Lake Worth, Fl.