Triple Negative Breast Cancer: What treatments are you having?

Thank you for your reply and the details of your treatment. Unfortunately, the oncologist I had did not try chemo before the surgery. Had this happened, my tumor would have disappeared and surgery could have been avoided. It was a complicated surgery followed by radiation, which left my chest wall fairly tight and paralyzed. After he went on medical leave, another oncologist was assigned to me at Stanford and sent my tissue to be further diagnosed. The results showed that I had 11 mutations which put me in another category for chemotherapy. He put me on the correct chemo medication, and the leftover small tumors just disappeared. I am not on any medication at this point as I don't have any active breast cancer going on at the time. Best of luck with your breast cancer.
Nancy

@thielmann1
I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on Sep 20, 2023. I was seen quickly at the Mayo as it's a very aggressive cancer. The treatment follows the the KEYNOTE-522 study. It was a study evaluating the combination of (CHEMO) consisting of weekly paclitaxel 1 + carboplatin (AUC1. 5 weekly or AUC 5 every 3 weeks) followed by AC every 3 weeks, with or without pembrolizumab in a 2:1 randomization. In laymen's terms it's about 5 months of chemo, the first 12 weeks it's once a week and then the last 4 treatment is every 3 weeks. You will most likely have chemo before surgery unless you tumor is very small. Mine was almost 4 cm so I had chemo first to shrink the tumor and the surgery. I was given KEYTRUDA, an immunotherapy drug at the end of my 12 weeks. You do Keytruda every 3 weeks for about 9 months. I had a double mastectomy only because I tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. Before I found out I was positive for BRCA1, the surgeon was going to do a lumpectomy. Depending on how you respond to chemo and how much the tumor shrinks and if any cancer remains after surgery, you might be finished with treatment or you may have to take a pill for 6 months to a year to prevent cancer recurring. Sometimes the recommend radiation depending on if cancer is in lymph nodes or when you have a lumpectomy. Your oncologist and surgeon will help you better understand your treatment as you will soon discover, everyone is different. I can tell you though, that Keynote 522 is what they follow for triple negative breast cancer. Good luck and I will be praying for you! One day at a time!

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I did request to see a nutritionist for some suggestions like just how much protein I need. And a few other questions I see them next week. I start my second round of keytruda and chemo 8/24. And see the surgeon on 8/29 . So far the side effect have been minimal so lucky I guess. Hugs have a good day y’all

I got a cookbook when I started treatment - "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" - which had tons of great recipes and suggestions for eating during treatment, how to account for loss of appetite and change in taste.

The recipe we used the most was for "Anytime Bars" which were great for on the go/infusion center snacks.

Here’s a photo, sorry it took so long I was challenged on how to do from my iPad, I hope the photo is helpful.

Hi @lynnj3
I always ate protein (eggs, avocado, yogurt) for breakfast, nuts and fruit for snacks and protein (chicken, beef, whatever I could stomach) with vegetables and rice or potatoes. I did lose a little weight at first, but then when I had AC, I gained 20 lbs from the steroids. I would ask your doctor and remind him/her that you lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks. He might have suggestions to help too and also, it may be a side affect of one of the drugs that may be worth looking into. I did have BOOST protein drinks after chemo to help with energy and boy did I think they tasted good and I got 20 - 30 mg of protein per shake. It may be time now to splurge a little and eat some ice cream or cheese or those more high calorie foods? Good luck!! p.s. I lost the 20 lbs after chemo so I'm back to my normal weight...

I was diagnosed late 2021 and that was before Keytruda was approved as included in the protocol for TNBC with BRCA mutation. But my treatment was somewhat similar. I had chemo first (1 every 3 weeks - 4 treatments) then weekly for 12 weeks; thankfully good response to chemo and lumps shrunk, then it was bilateral mastectomy; but since miniscule amt found in lymph node pathology - 3 weeks of daily radiation. Now I'm on Lynparza - hopefully only for a year. I just started and so far no side effects; but I've heard side effects may not appear until close the end of the first month of usage. We'll see.