Friday, August 06, 2010 Anita asks

Q: TAC vs. ACT

My oncologist has presented two options for my treatment.

I am Stage IIIa, 4 positive nodes, small tumor in right breast removed in early July, clear margins. I am hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative.

I am not clear on the major differences between TAC every 3 weeks 6x vs. dose dense AC every 2 weeks 4x plus T every 1 or 2 weeks 12x or 4x (not sure yet which it will be). One recommendation I've gotten is to go with the dose dense option. Not sure why and I feel like I'm going crazy trying to figure this out. I'm scared to death to start my treatments within the next few weeks hoping I'll be able to function but not quite sure at this point. I am trying to stay positive but it's difficult some days, to say the least!

Can anyone offer thoughts on these two options and their differences?

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Answers (2)

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

8/ 6/10 6:50pm

Anita, your oncologist is definitely the best person to explain the differences between these two regimens. That said, this site is also a good place to try to gather first-hand experiences form women who've had to make the same choice you're facing. It's very difficult, indeed, to be in this kind of situation; you always feel like, "If I make the wrong choice, it could cost me my life." Cancer is such a roll of the dice anyway, though, you really can't think like that. Do your research; make your decision; and never, EVER look back. You will have made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time.

And, the informaiton you gather is often contradictory, which doesn't make things any easier. One study will show the dose-dense approach is better; another of equal quality will show it's not. There's no "one right answer" out there... So, as I said, just do the best you can, and that'll be good enough. Best of luck to you - PJH

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

8/ 6/10 7:53pm

Anita, there is no wrong decision here. You will be getting the same drugs either way. if there was a dramatic difference in results, your doctor would have recommended one over the other. Some doctors prefer to go with the combo drugs so as to hit the cancer with everything all at once. That's the TAC. Some doctors prefer to divide the chemo; that's the AC then T. That way if there is a problem, it's easier to know which drug is responsible. The dose dense option means that there is less time between treatments. The theory behind dose dense is that it gives the cancer less time to rebound between treatments. Ask the doctor more questions about his experience with side effects and problems with each option. Look at the schedule for each and see which suits you better. After collecting as many facts as possible, go with your gut. As PJ says, once you make your decision, don't second guess yourself.

Q: TAC vs. ACT

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