EC versus FEC for triple negative

[Eliza]

Hi Ranij, how are you doing?

I had my first EC on Monday after the 4 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel.  Emend and ondansetron plus the steroids kept any sickness at bay, but fatigue has now set in together with a general not feeling great. I wouldn't want to drive, but otherwise it isn't too bad.

Eliza

[Anniej]

Sorry Ranij, just picked up this post. I've been whizzing through rads so a bit fatigued at moment.  My neutrophils gradually dropped as treatments went on. I ended up in hospital a couple of times with a high temp and they definitely crashed at that point. My wbc stayed ok, not wonderful, but no worries. X

[Tralala]

I started with chemo in January 2017 for stage 3 TNBC. I was only offered 6x FECT treatment with the drug being changed after no 3 to dox. The first 3 were no problem at all but the last 3 were awful. In fact, although I had my last session in May 2017 I still have the pins and needles in my toes and all my toenails but one big one have fallen out. I was told these effects may not go till Christmas 2017. I was told initially that my cancer

had spread to the l nodes but after 5 chemos a CT scan showed this was no longer a problem. 

[Ranij]

Hi Anniej

Thank you so much for the information. I use Emend for nausea during my Carboplatin week and I have already bought a wig as I expected my hair to be lost during my weekly Carboplatin & Taxol regime. I use the cold cap which has preserved most of my hair but it is starting to bald out from the top. Looks like I will be using my wig after all while I am on FEC!

Thank you so much for the tips, I will keep them in mind.

Were you particularly tired out and drained through out FEC and how badly effected were your bloods, white cells, neutrophils etc?

[Anniej]

Ranij, side effects are very personal, but with FEC it's almost a given that you will lose hair. Your Onco / BC nurse should get you sorted with a voucher for a wig. You will be given lots of medication for nausea. I was put  on Emend which was wonderful and I never suffered really. Some people have had bone pain, but again, that didn't happen to me. Loss of appetite was compensated by fresh soups to make sure I had some nourishment. I used a teaspoon of Manuka honey 25+ each day and never had any mouth ulcers . Taste buds did get a bit wobbly, and I'm off the wine! 😢 I used a nail strengthener and dark varnish as I'd heard that FEC can be a bit harsh on that part if the body. I had excellent results. Sending you a big hug and best wishes. X

[Xena75]

Interesting thread. I'm tnbc, small tumour, no node involvement. I've had my lumpectomy already.

I'm having 6cycles of docetaxol and carboplatin on a three weekly basis. After that rads.

[Eliza]

I'm another diagnosed with TN in June. Now in cycle 4 of 3 weekly carboplatin and weekly taxol. After this cycle I move onto 3 cycles of EC. I'm in the Partner trial and having olaparib for 12 days of each CT cycle.

Eliza

[Anniej]

Hi, my consultant said the same. In fact he described it as old fashioned and harsh. No need to have the  F part if its not needed. x

[DPD]

Hi I had 4EC & then 4 Docetaxel last one tomorrow- I was advised the F part if FEC is no longer required as research shows EC just as effective

[Ranij]

Hi. I was diagnosed with TNBC in June and am on neoadjuvent chemotherapy. I am currently on a weekly Taxol & Carboplatin regime for 12 weeks followed by 4, 3 weekly FEC. I am currently on the 9th session of Taxol & Carboplatin and wanted to find out how both compare to in terms of side effects. Is FEC worse than the Taxol/Carbo combination? I have tolerated Taxol fine, with Carboplatin, I get tired very easily but that seems to be the only side effect I have had to date. Do you lose all your hair, eye brows, eye lashes etc with FEC, skin and nail changes etc as well?

Any information on the side effects of FEC will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[rachel.collins99@talktalk.net]

Thankyou Brewster

Rachel xx

[Brewster]

Hi Rachel

As far as I understand they do like to use a taxol with TNBC, that's my understanding but treatment does seem to vary from hospital to hospital and consultant to consultant . I would ask your oncologist

Xx

[rachel.collins99@talktalk.net]

Hey

Was interesting to read this from you ladies,I was diagnosed TNBC in December 2014, had grade 3 and had masectomy,now on 6 sessions of FEC t,is this a new type of treatment?

Rachel xx

[Brewster]

Hi Rach123

I am also being treated at Christie !! Had 3 x EC and then getting paclitaxol but not carboplatin. Have had surgery..bilateral mx. It was grade 3 TNBC. Wonder why we are both getting different under the same hospital ?

[Rach123]

---

@Brewster wrote:
Has anyone just had/having EC and not FEC for triple negative. Have had my surgery and had call roday to start EC chemo in Jan 8th . Just wondering why it's not FEC.... Does anyone know ??

Thanks xx

---

Hi 

I was diagnosed with Triple Neg in September. Stage 3, but a small tumour, and not in my lymph nodes. I underwent a lumpectomy a week after diagnosis. Since then I have had 4, 3 weekly doses of EC. I then had a 3 week break, and have now started 12 weekly doses of Taxol/carboplatin at a reduced dose. I will then have 15 sessions of radiotherapy.

I never questioned the EC part of it, as I was assured it was the strongest/most toxic of all chemos by my nurses. I suppose I just assumed it must be doing the job, if they considered it the worst. A little daunting admitedly, but I am happy to say, it did not live up to its dreaded reputation, and I came through the other side. 

The carbo/taxol regime is quite a new regime for triple neg, in fact I am one of 4 woman under The Christy that has started it. It is normally used for secondary breast cancer. 

I feel very confident that my treatment regime is quite cutting edge, as they are changing the treatments for triple neg all the time. My oncologist is also very forward thinking, so I am happy to be a guinea pig....

I am happy to answer any other questions, so please ask. We are a bit of a minority, but the great news is it responds very very well to chemo.....

All the best 

[Rach123]

Hi 

I was diagnosed with Triple Neg in September. Stage 3, but a small tumour, and not in my lymph nodes. I underwent a lumpectomy a week after diagnosis. Since then I have had 4, 3 weekly doses of EC. I then had a 3 week break, and have now started 12 weekly doses of Taxol/carboplatin at a reduced dose. I will then have 15 sessions of radiotherapy.

I never questioned the EC part of it, as I was assured it was the strongest/most toxic of all chemos by my nurses. I suppose I just assumed it must be doing the job, if they considered it the worst. A little daunting admitedly, but I am happy to say, it did not live up to its dreaded reputation, and I came through the other side. 

The carbo/taxol regime is quite a new regime for triple neg, in fact I am one of 4 woman under The Christy that has started it. It is normally used for secondary breast cancer. 

I feel very confident that my treatment regime is quite cutting edge, as they are changing the treatments for triple neg all the time. My oncologist is also very forward thinking, so I am happy to be a guinea pig....

I am happy to answer any other questions, so please ask. We are a bit of a minority, but the great news is it responds very very well to chemo.....

All the best 

[Janet_BCC]

Hi Brewster

This might be something the Helpline could help you with.  The opening times are 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays.  The number is 0808 800 6000

Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

[Brewster]

Has anyone just had/having EC and not FEC for triple negative. Have had my surgery and had call roday to start EC chemo in Jan 8th . Just wondering why it's not FEC.... Does anyone know ??

Thanks xx