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Secondary breast cancer paclitaxel

Jobilly71
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I’ve just had a telephone consult with an oncology registrar who informed me that my Paclitaxel is due to stop on June 3rd. That will be the maximum 24 (8 cycles). It’s been working, last scans show some shrinkage to lung Mets, markers are down and I’m in no pain or experiencing any side effects.

I am out of other options, having tried Abemaciclib and Capecitabine previously which didn’t work.

she said that I will have a treatment break but couldn’t tell me what happens next apart from taking a break indefinitely and see what happens on the next scans.

I feel like I’m being written off at this point, I don’t know what to do and I’m just distraught! 

can Paclitaxel be given again or is 8 cycles definitely the limit? XX

  • Hi Jobilly71,

    Thanks for getting in touch, and welcome to the online community.

    My name is Ursula and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan support line.

    I am sorry to read that you are feeling written off and distraught after speaking with an oncology registrar about your current treatment for secondary breast cancer. It’s understandable to have questions around this.

    As we are independent of the NHS and do not have access to medical records, we are unable to offer personalised advice. However, we can talk through in general terms the possible reasons behind this, to help you understand and process what is happening.

    All drugs can have some potential side effects and this includes paclitaxel chemotherapy. These vary from person to person, and for some people they may not occur. I am pleased to read that you are not in any pain or experiencing any side effects and that the scans have showed you have responded to this treatment. Because of how this treatment affects your bone marrow, it is not possible to continue it indefinitely, and 8 cycles is generally considered maximum dose. Clinically, the team will be pleased that the Paclitaxel is currently controlling your cancer and will continue to keep control when you are on a treatment break.

    Treatment breaks allow the body and bone marrow to recover, but they do not mean that there will be no further treatment options. Your team will continue to monitor you closely during the treatment break to see how long the cancer remains stable. Should the monitoring show signs that the cancer is beginning to grow again they will discuss any potential treatment options with you, including whether they can consider re-treating with paclitaxel. Should you develop any new symptoms whilst you are on a treatment break you should report these to your clinical team immediately so you can be assessed.

    Going forward your team will look at what treatment options may be available to you. Clinical trials are often considered as a treatment option for secondary breast cancer. They may also look at using existing treatments in different ways.

    Genomic research is also being used more in treatments. Testing looks at groups of genes found in cancer. They can help to identify who will benefit from certain treatments and can help doctors understand more about the cancer. It is important to note these tests are not suitable for everyone. Your specialist team would be best placed to discuss this with you.

    It may also be helpful to chat in more detail with one of our nurses, by giving our support line a call. We often find we can explain our answers in a bit more detail over the phone, giving you the opportunity to ask more questions if needed. We also have a secondary breast cancer forum  here on the online community, where you can share your feelings and get support.

    I hope this information is helpful, and please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you require any further information or support.

    Sending best wishes,

    Ursula

    You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref:UH/SS

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