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Type of Chemo Needed for Luminol B

MarieinSlovenia96927a
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I have recently been diagnosed with Stage 2, Grade 3 with no lymph node spread.  Estrogen Positive (100%) Progesterone Negative and HER Negative...Luminol B.  I am 58, 4 years post menopausal 

My oncologist has recommended 6 cycles of AC...then surgery...4 more cycles of AC...followed by radiation.  She says my cancer is aggressive so this is necessary.  

However, a major side effect is an increased risk of leukemia which terrifies me, as my mother died at 72 of this cancer.  She was dead within 2 weeks of diagnosis.

From the literature I have been reading on-line it seems that TC chemo is almost as effective as AC on Luminol B HER Negative...or it's possible to have sequencial AC and TC every two weeks.

If anyone has information on what type I can suggest to my oncologist or what the standard treatment in the UK would be...it would be highly appreciated..as I don't want to take AC chemo.  Thanks, in advance

  • Dear MarieinSlovenia96927a,

    Thank you for getting in touch, and welcome back to our online community.  My name is Lisa, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.   I can see that you also belong to our breast cancer forum.  I hope that you are finding this forum supportive and a way to share experiences. 

     

    Thank you for sharing what you’re going through.  It sounds like you’ve been given a lot of complex information, and it’s completely understandable to feel anxious when weighing up different treatments.  I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s cancer diagnosis and then losing her so soon.    

     

    From what you’ve described, your breast cancer type (luminal B, ER+ve, PR-ve, HER2-ve) can sometimes behave more aggressively, which is why chemotherapy may be recommended prior to surgery.  In the UK, regimens that include an anthracycline drug, such as the doxorubicin in AC, are often part of standard treatment for this type of breast cancer.  TC, on the other hand, could be used in some situations, such as for those patients who are considered lower risk than those who are luminal B or if there were a cardiac issue because an anthracycline can affect how the heart works.

    You’re right that different chemotherapy combinations do exist, such as TC, and it’s natural to want to understand whether these could be suitable for you.  The best choice can depend on factors, such as the biology of the cancer, your general health, and national guidelines.

     

    The risk of developing leukaemia from chemotherapy is very small, but I can hear how concerning this may feel, given your mother’s experience.  It can be helpful to write down your questions and take them to your oncologist to discuss further – for example, why AC was recommended in your case rather than TC, how do the risks and benefits compare for you personally, and what is the likelihood of long-term side effects, such as leukaemia. 

     

    Your oncologist will be able to explain why a particular approach has been recommended for you and discuss possible alternatives.  If you feel you’d like more reassurance, you can also ask about the option of a second opinion.

     

    You mentioned having looked at literature online.  I’ve included a systematic review, ‘The Omission of anthracycline Chemotherapy in Women with Early HER2-Negative Breast Cancer’  that might be helpful to look. It may also be helpful to look at the NICE guideline for early breast cancer.

     

    I hope that you’ve found this information helpful.  However, we often find that we can help more by exploring these questions over the phone. You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.  Phone free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or send us an email.

     

    However, as a UK charity, we can only advise on treatment in the UK and are unable to offer any information or support for treatment recommended outside the UK. 

     

    Take care and best wishes,

     

    Lisa R

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

     

    Ref/ HW/LiR

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