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How many A/C cycles are appropriate?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Carol: The typical AC treatment is four—why not three or five? What if I only do three? I am stage I, node-negative, hormone-positive and 41 years old.
Answer —Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: The choice of four cycles of AC, you're right, is rather empiric. Studies were originally done with two years of chemotherapy, then one year, then six months, and somehow we came to four cycles of AC. There's some concern that that may not be sufficient. There is a study ongoing right now looking at women like yourself, women who have node-negative disease, where we are comparing four cycles of AC to six cycles of AC, or four doses of Taxol to six doses of Taxol. So the study is addressing the question of Taxol vs. AC, and the number of doses, four vs. six. Three or five is unknown, as we have never done studies. You should get benefit, but I can't say how much.

Some people who have breast cancers that are lymph-node negative and hormone-receptor-positive could use the Oncotype DX test to get a better handle on prognosis and to help in the decision making about chemotherapy vs. hormone therapy, although that test cannot help in making a decision about three vs. four vs. five of AC.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2005. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. brought you the highlights of the 2005 Breast Cancer Symposium and answered your questions about the latest diagnostic and treatment options for breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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