Started EC (epirubicin + cyclophosphamide) regimen. What to expect?

Posted by maynakfoury @maynakfoury, 2 days ago

Hello, i am based in the UK, treated privately in Cambridge. I have been there before in 2012, with a right BC (lumpectomy and sentinel nodes) HER pos ER/PR pos. Had to have chemo and radiotherapy. And Herceptin. No hormones tablets.

This time Surgery in left breast lumpectomy, full axillairy as all 22 lymph nodes affected. HER negative ER/PR pos, wouldn’t have had to have chemo but for the lymph nodes.

Started EC yesterday with dignicap, x4 every 2 weeks (had FEC before), followed by Paclitaxel x4 every 2 weeks, followed by radiotherapy, in conjunction with injection drug targeting bones preventing cancer (something acid), followed by Letrozole and something else. Forgot now.

If anyone out there on similar regimen and circumstances, would be very happy to hear what to expect.
Not my first rodeo but still daunting. Thank you! Mayna

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | 21 hours ago

Hello @maynakfoury I am sorry to hear you have relapsed. It is the thing I think that frightens all who enter the breast cancer club. In order for you to get some insight into your regimen, I think you might need to tell us what it is. With all the new treatments coming out every year EC might not be enough information.
I know a lot of members ask about the cold caps so that would be information worth sharing as you move forward.
What does EC or FEC stand for?

lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | 19 minutes ago

@maynakfoury :

Hi! Mayna:

I am so sorry for what you've been through! My heart simply ached and saddened upon reading your post... Life really throws curve balls at us from time to time so unfairly, isn't it??!! I am so sorry, Mayna; my prayers go out for you just now...

Unfortunately I am no expert on anything; however, reading from your description I gathered that your right breast suffered from triple positive BC in 2012, got the treatment of FEC (a chemotherapy regimen that combines 3 drugs: Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, and Cyclophosphamide) successfully, and now the sneaky disease comes back to left breast and 22 lymph nodes affected with ER+,PR+, Her2- characteris. Your care team in the UK is currently treating you with a highly effective chemotherapy combination of Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide (EC), followed by Paclitaxel, etc., and perhaps Zometa infusion (zoledronic acid) to prevent bone metastases; correct? Even though I am not any medical expert, I think your care team is diligently working to help you beat this disease and prevent it from spreading to bones, so your best approach would be working with your care team closely, reaching out to them whenever you encounter any issues. Another positive point is that you had FEC before, so you are probably familiar with all the possible side effects that may come with the chemotherapy combination of Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Hang in there, my friend! For our prayers shall be with you, accompanying you through this rough journey.

Wishing you all a better journey ahead with hope, love, and peace from above!