Tuesday, May 27, 2008 dianec asks

Q: 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?

Answers (2)

Notify me when there are new answers

PJ Hamel

5/27/08 9:19pm

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

Andrea

5/29/08 10:17pm

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

Related Questions

Ca Breast stage IIB prognosis after Modified Radical Mastectomy and Chemotherapy without Herceptinanswers (2)
smoking patient dignosed as stage two invasive duct carcinoma should quite immediatly or graduallyanswers (1)
Need help to make decision about chemo answers (1)
acking all, over hard to sleep, pains in lowerleft stomack hard, rapid heart, pale skin answers (13)
Does exercise increases mean arterial pressure?answers (3)

See all questions

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

Q: Is docetaxel normally used for Stage II, grade II, 1.7-2.0cm,node neg,invasive ductal carcinoma?

Related Questions

Ask a Question