Is docetaxel normally used for Stage II, grade II, 1.7-2.0cm,node neg,invasive ductal carcinoma?
I had two lesions and had needle biopsy, then mod rad mastectomy. Pathology of moderately differentiated infiltrating ductal carcinoma and intermediate grade DCIS. Surgery result was nodes negative and clear margins. Estrogen/progesterone positive and Her2 negative.
My oncologist wants me to have A/C then docetaxel. All the information I can find states that it's uses for patients with node positive, metastatic cancer. I'm concerned about the risks and worry that it's "overkill".
Is this bocomming a widely used treatment?
Diane, I had the same reaction as you: seems like an awful powerful drug for your diagnosis. I am absolutely no doctor, but am wondering if you might ask for the Oncogene-DX test, which can predict the degree to which chemo will help you. It's a test that helps women to make a decision regarding having (or not having) chemo; perhaps it would do the same for you, deciding whether to take your doc's advice and have taxotere. Frankly, if I were you, I'd get another opinion before diving into taxotere (docetaxel)... Best of luck, Diane; I know this must be such a hard time for you... PJH
- Thank you for your input
- Ranked Helpful (5)
- Report Abuse
Hi Diane - I did have taxane therapy: three cycles of FEC (similar to AC) and three of Taxol. My oncologists explained that the rationale for varying the chemo drugs is that different drugs stop cell division in different ways. My cancer was similar to yours - ER/PR+ and Her2-. But it was lobular, not ductal, and I had one positive node. I agree with PJ, you should get a second opinion and/or the Oncotype DX test (which I wasn't a candidate for, because of the node).
All the best,
Andrea
- Thank you for your input
- Ranked Helpful (4)
- Report Abuse
