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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Compare TAC (6 treaments) and AC (4 treatments) Taxol (4 treatments)
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Compare TAC (6 treaments) and AC (4 treatments) Taxol (4 treatments)
by sanam, Apr 02, 2003 12:00AM
I am about to start chemo. I am 32 years old, the cancer was found in one breast- IDC - size 2.4mm, Grade 3, 22 nodes removed all negative, found limfovascular invasion, ER/PR negative HER (+1)(wich I was told means also negative). I had bilateral (in one breast profilactic) mastectomy, I also tested positive for BRCA1 mutation.
Can you please explain the differences bw TAC (T stands for Taxotere) 6 treatments versus AC(x4) + Taxol(x4) treatments. Which one would be more beneficial in my case, is there any research describing these treatments benefits? What is my prognosis after each of these treatments?
I've seen a lot of research for ER/PR positive - are there any good/benefitial treatments for ER/PR negative?
Thank you, Sana
Can you please explain the differences bw TAC (T stands for Taxotere) 6 treatments versus AC(x4) + Taxol(x4) treatments. Which one would be more beneficial in my case, is there any research describing these treatments benefits? What is my prognosis after each of these treatments?
I've seen a lot of research for ER/PR positive - are there any good/benefitial treatments for ER/PR negative?
Thank you, Sana
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Apr 02, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Sana, The purpose of adjuvant treatment Adjuvant treatment is given after surgery to try to prevent or minimize the growth of microscopic deposits of tumor cells that might grow into a recurrent tumor.
The benefit of the use of taxanes (docetaxel or Taxotere,and paclitaxel or Taxol) in treatment of metastatic breast cancer has been extablished through research. Seeing this, researchers have been investigating the use of taxanes in the adjuvant setting. The question that still needs to be answered is will adding a taxane to the adjuvant treatment regimen of AC make a difference, at this time the data is inconclusive.
Adjuvant treatment of ER/PR negative cancers is the use of chemotherapy combinations, and there is evidence that anthracycline (such as adriamycin) containing regimens show an advantage over non-anthracycline containing regimens. (Hormone therapy is used in hormone receptor positive cancers.)
As to which of the above treatments would be more beneficial in your case that is not something we would be able to answer. Discuss with your oncologist the risks and benefits of the specific regimens and how they may apply to you as an individual.
The benefit of the use of taxanes (docetaxel or Taxotere,and paclitaxel or Taxol) in treatment of metastatic breast cancer has been extablished through research. Seeing this, researchers have been investigating the use of taxanes in the adjuvant setting. The question that still needs to be answered is will adding a taxane to the adjuvant treatment regimen of AC make a difference, at this time the data is inconclusive.
Adjuvant treatment of ER/PR negative cancers is the use of chemotherapy combinations, and there is evidence that anthracycline (such as adriamycin) containing regimens show an advantage over non-anthracycline containing regimens. (Hormone therapy is used in hormone receptor positive cancers.)
As to which of the above treatments would be more beneficial in your case that is not something we would be able to answer. Discuss with your oncologist the risks and benefits of the specific regimens and how they may apply to you as an individual.
