Treatment for Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Please see original thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/BreastCancer/messages/C1748-4.html

My prescribed protocol for IBC is 4 treatments of Adriamycin/Cytox and 4 Taxotere over 24 weeks. Oncologist said I could be a candidate for HDC/stem cell rescue BUT my insurance co. would "never pay for it". There is a trial near me @ City of Hope for IBC HDC/SCR. Do I really need that and should I advocate for myself more......or is the protocol I am prescribed enough to combat IBC? (STAGE IIIB / HER-2 + / EST/PRO -)

Also....my last path report indicated "keratin positivity". My internet research did not endow me with any better understanding of the significance of this beyond it being an indication that the cells are malignant. Is there more significance of this that that?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear highaim, HDC (high dose chemotherapy) with stem cell rescue at this time would only be prescribed within the context of a clinical trial.  Depending on the eligibility of the trial would determine whether your situation fits the trial criteria.  Whether the high dose would offer any benefit beyond the protocol prescribed is unknown.

The significance of keratin positivity beyond indication of malignancy is not known.  Currently, this information alone does not influence prognosis.