TCHP Chemo Treatment: Taxotere + Carboplatin + Herceptin + Perjeta
If you’ve been diagnosed with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer, your doctor may recommend that you receive TCHP chemotherapy.
TCHP is a combination of two chemotherapy medicines and two targeted therapy medicines given over several months. The TCHP chemo regimen consists of:
Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) — chemotherapy
Carboplatin (brand name: Paraplatin) — chemotherapy
Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) — targeted therapy
Perjeta (chemical name: pertuzumab) — targeted therapy
Your doctor will select the best chemotherapy regimen for you based on the breast cancer type. The type and stage of cancer will also influence whether it will be given before or after surgery.
How TCHP chemo works
The four medications in the TCHP regimen target cancer cells in different ways:
Taxotere is a taxane chemotherapy drug that interferes with the ability of cancer cells to divide.
Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that destroys cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
Herceptin and Perjeta work on the surface of cancer cells by blocking chemical signals that stimulate uncontrolled growth.
How TCHP chemo is given
TCHP chemo is given as four separate infusions through an IV or port once every 21 days. Each drug has a different infusion time in the first cycle:
Taxtotere: 60 minutes
Carboplatin: 30 minutes
Herceptin: 90 minutes
Perjeta: 60 minutes
In some cases, your doctor may opt to give you Phesgo — a fixed-dose combination of Herceptin, Perjeta , and hyaluronidase-zzxf — as an injection over five to eight minutes instead of separate infusions of Herceptin and Perjeta. This will shorten the duration of the infusion.
Typically, THCP is given for six cycles. Infusions in cycles 2-6 will usually be shorter.
TCHP chemo side effects
While on TCHP, you may experience any of the common side effects of the individual medications, including:
susceptibility to infection
fluid retention
numbness in the fingers and toes (neuropathy)
watery eyes
nerve damage
chills
irregular menstrual periods, or temporary or permanent cessation of periods
Other severe side effects include:
It’s not safe to receive TCHP if you’re pregnant, as each medication has the potential to cause fetal harm. It’s also not recommended if you’re breastfeeding — the drugs can be passed through breast milk.
Real patient reviews
Members of our community discuss their experiences with TCHP in the community forum. Here are some of their comments. Remember, it's very important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you're having and ask about ways to manage them.
“I didn't have any awful time with TCHP, I tolerated it well.” — morrigan2575
“While getting TCHP, I would go in between chemo treatments for fluids and anything that was low (for me it was magnesium).” — grammie2
“I did cold cap during TCHP; unfortunately, it was not successful but I do believe that my hair is coming in fast, quick, and thick because of the cold capping.” — kcmc
Read more in our THCP discussion forum.
Paying for TCHP chemo
The cost of TCHP chemo may vary. The price you’ll pay depends on your health insurance provider and plan, where you live, and the pharmacy you use.
Note: Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before covering TCHP.
If you have trouble paying for TCHP, ask your pharmacist or care team about financial assistance programs that may be able to help.
Learn more about financial assistance and medicine cost-lowering tips.
— Last updated on April 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM