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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
FEC vs AC
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic - Breast cancer
Cleveland - OH
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.
FEC vs AC
by senja, Jan 24, 2009 02:56PM
My 56 year old just had a lumpectomy and have gone to 4 different oncologists in an effort to understand the treatment options. Each oncologist has a different opinion:
(1) FEC 3 cycles + Taxotere 3 treatments
(2) FEC 4 cycles + 12 Taxol (this doc said Taxotere is not good for Asian patients because of a lack of certain enzyme)
(3) FEC 4 cycles + 12 Taxol
(4) AC 4 cycles + 12 Taxol
Can you advise if Taxotere is indeed bad for Asian patients? Also please advise why the difference in the number of cycles and number of treatments?
(1) FEC 3 cycles + Taxotere 3 treatments
(2) FEC 4 cycles + 12 Taxol (this doc said Taxotere is not good for Asian patients because of a lack of certain enzyme)
(3) FEC 4 cycles + 12 Taxol
(4) AC 4 cycles + 12 Taxol
Can you advise if Taxotere is indeed bad for Asian patients? Also please advise why the difference in the number of cycles and number of treatments?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jan 29, 2009 07:46AM
, Jan 29, 2009 07:46AM
Dear senja: There is some data to suggest that different populations have different levels of liver enzymes involved in the metabolism of chemotherapy including taxotere and many other drugs. This may impact the success of the chemotherapy in patients with different levels of these enzymes. However, studies have not been conclusive to support measuring these enzyme levels or using the race of patients to tailor chemotherapy regimen choices in this situation.
There are many regimens that are considered “standard” or “reasonable” in the treatment of breast cancer. These different regimens have not been compared head-to-head in clinical trials to know exactly which of these “reasonable” regimens is optimal. The reason different numbers of cycles were used in the design of these regimens is complex and it is impossible with the available data to say for sure which choice is optimal. The choice of chemotherapy for individual patients should be determined by the treating medical oncologist taking many different factors into consideration.
There are many regimens that are considered “standard” or “reasonable” in the treatment of breast cancer. These different regimens have not been compared head-to-head in clinical trials to know exactly which of these “reasonable” regimens is optimal. The reason different numbers of cycles were used in the design of these regimens is complex and it is impossible with the available data to say for sure which choice is optimal. The choice of chemotherapy for individual patients should be determined by the treating medical oncologist taking many different factors into consideration.
