Hi there . I have been diagnosed with Lobular Stage 2b, grade 2 ( 3.1 tumor multi focal and 1 positive node).
The onc said I am only getting 6x FEC and no Tax. I am wondering what others think about this? I thought if you have node involvement you automatically get tax. Thanks
Hi Flower,
I only had 1 node involvement after my clearance and I had FEC-T. I remember my BCN saying in the early days of my treatment that in some health trusts you need to have at least 5 nodes involved before they’ll give you TAX.
I also assumed you got TAX if there was node involvement at all - this could be postcode lottery or a cost issue, but if you’re unhappy or unsure, question your oncologist to explain the absence of TAX in your treatment plan - there could be a very good reason for it?
Good luck with your treatment
Bev
Hi Flower20
I had 23mm tumour with 14 nodes removed 3 of which had cancer in them. I am having 3xFEC and 3XTax. Saying that I had my first chemo yesterday and talking to the nurses they say everybodys treatment is different e.g. the chemo they had ready for me could not be given to anyone else, so it is very individual. Speak to your BCN and ask why.
There will be a reason for it. Also of the 2 I have been told the Tax is less tolerable.All very confusing but ask.
Good Luck
Mary P xx
I had four nodes involved and had EPI-CMF x 8. I never understood the different reasons for each regime.
Hello Flower,
so sorry you need to have chemo, but you will get through it, I assure you. As the others have said, different oncologists have different views and they will wiegh up many factors, including age, general health and so on as well as the cancer pathology to choose the best chemo. There is some research comparing FEC x6 and FEC x 3 plus T x 3, which basically affirms that both are good, effective regimes. I think it is mostly people with grade 3 cancers who get the combination, but I might be wrong.
I’m not sure of the exact logic, but I think they tend to give you the least amount chemo needed to get a good outcome. Of course there aren’t any guarantees - someone could have FEC x6 and live happily ever after, someone could have FEC-T and get a recurrence - but they do use lots of experience to guide their thinking. I know women who have had FEC x6, so it really isn’t that unusual.
I hope it goes well for you, with minimal unpleasant side effects and that you do have a long, healthy and happy life afterwards.
(Edit for bad typos!)
Hi Flower20,
I had grade 2, stage 2 bc with 1 node affected. I was treated at the Royal Marsden and I had 6 FEC, many others there with similar diagnosis to me seem to be receiving the same. It does seem to be a very individual treatment now and different oncologists and hospitals have their own regimes.
Do hope your treatment goes well, wishing you all the best
Marina x
Hello,
Sorry you have to have chemo at all.
I’m sure your onc has chosen the best chemo for your particular case, but it might help if he/she could explain their reasoning to you so that you aren’t wondering about the whys and wherefores.
I had FEC-T - no nodes but grade 3 AND vascular invasion so very aggressive - Also only weakly +ve to oestrogen, so hormone tablets not as much benefit as if strongly +ve. Basically they weigh up all the factors - not just node involvement.
Best of luck with the treatment, hope you don’t suffer too much from SEs. You will get there.
Stella xx
I had FEC-T with no node involvement. I had widespread DCIS with several areas of microinvasion. But I was hormone negative, so no hormone treatment was available. Subsequently found to be HER2+ as well. Best to speak to ONC and see why your chemo regime was chosen for you.
xxx
Sorry, meant to put in earlier post, my DCIS was high grade, but the microinvasion was grade 1. I was just 40 at diagnosis. Good luck with it all xxx
Hi Flower20,
I was diagnosed with 3 tumors 4MM, 15MM AND 23MM in one breast which were IDBC, they were all grade 1 vascular non invasive but 2 out of three nodes involved, I went to see the onc registra who told me I would be having 3 Fec and 3 T but when I went to see the acctual on he said that I would not be having the T and would be having 6 Fec. When I asked the reason for this he said that it was just as effective and didnt want to overtreat me. I did worry about this for a while but after speaking to BCC and Specialst chemo nurse, they say it is perfectly normal regime to just have the fec and if they thought you needed any other they would not compromise your treatment. I hope this has put your mind at rest a little. But if you are not happy with what they have said do not hesitate to speak to your specialists to put any fears you have to rest.
All the very best with your treatment.
Debh xx
Hey flower I was gonna ask my onc today what they would do at the Wgh in the same situation but you’ll never guess which onc I saw!!! lol was FY so didnt bother asking her to explain.
Why not call the BCC helpline nurses and see what they say but there are lots of reassuring posts from others… I think it’s just when your told your getting one thing and then they tell ou your getting something else it’s a bit disconcerting.
Love and hugs xx
Hello Flower
I know you shouldn’t Google, but I looked up the NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guideance to see what treatment I should expect. Obviously it is a reliable source and it says they advise the NHS.
I’ve just finished FEC-T following a mastectomy and will be having radiotherapy but had 5 nodes involved, plus a number of other not good results. My friend also had FEC-T but with just 1 node involved.
Hello Flower,
I was a grade 3 and one lymph node involved I am currently have Ec 6 sessions and just had my third! My onc said it depends on age and how much lymph node involvement and weighing you the benefits.
I’m having ec as a prevenatative and becuase I’m 39 they want to throw everything at it. I would speak to your BCn she will be able to explain everything to you.
Love fran
xx
There was a similiar discussion last year. You might want to take a look at it.
share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/is-6-x-fec-good-enough–t32001s12.html
Cherry xx