FEC is a combination of three chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer. It takes its name from the initials of the drugs: 5 fluorouracil (also known as 5FU)
What is FEC in breast cancer treatment?
What is FEC? FEC is a combination of three chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer. It takes its name from the initials of the drugs: FEC destroys cancer cells by interfering with their ability to divide and grow. 2. When is FEC given?
What is FEC and how does it work?
What is FEC? FEC is a combination of three chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer. It takes its name from the initials of the drugs: FEC destroys cancer cells by interfering with their ability to divide and grow.
Who will give me FEC during chemotherapy?
You will be given FEC in the chemotherapy day unit. A chemotherapy nurse will give it to you. During treatment you usually see a cancer doctor, a chemotherapy nurse or a specialist nurse, and a specialist pharmacist. This is who we mean when we mention doctor, nurse or pharmacist in this information.
How long does FEC chemotherapy last?
You have FEC chemotherapy as cycles of treatment . This means you have the drugs and then a rest to allow your body to recover. Each cycle of treatment lasts 3 weeks. You usually have up to 6 cycles of treatment. You have all 3 drugs on the first day of each 3 week cycle. You might also have an injection of a drug called G-CSF.
How long does FEC chemo stay in your body?
Your resistance to infection is at its lowest point around 7–14 days after the FEC chemotherapy has been given. The number of white blood cells usually returns to normal before your next course of chemotherapy is due. When the white blood cells fall below a certain level, it is known as neutropenia.
Which is worse FEC or docetaxel?
The disease-free survival rate was 78.3% vs 73.2% with FEC-only (P = . 014 log-rank adjusted). There were 100 deaths in the FEC/docetaxel arm (10%), compared with 135 deaths (13.5%) in the FEC-only arm. The overall survival rate, therefore, was 90.7% vs 86.7% (P = .
What is the side effects of FEC?
5. Side effects of FECEffects on the blood. FEC can temporarily affect the number of healthy blood cells in the body. ... Nausea and vomiting. ... Diarrhoea or constipation. ... Hair loss (alopecia) ... Fatigue (extreme tiredness) ... Pain in the injection site. ... Change in the colour of urine. ... Bladder irritation.More items...
Is docetaxel a strong chemo drug?
Because the active ingredient, docetaxel, is a strong chemotherapy drug, it also has a long list of side effects. Most of them are typical for drugs in this class, such as nausea, vomiting and temporary alopecia (hair loss).
What is the most common side effect of docetaxel?
The most common adverse reactions across all TAXOTERE indications are infections, neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, dysgeusia, dyspnea, constipation, anorexia, nail disorders, fluid retention, asthenia, pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, skin ...
How long does it take to recover from docetaxel?
Your resistance to infection is usually at its lowest point around 7–14 days after the docetaxel has been given. The number of white blood cells usually returns to normal before your next course of chemotherapy is due.
Does fluorouracil cause weight gain?
Does Fluorouracil cause weight gain? Fluorouracil intravenous injections used in treating cancers can lead to weight loss. This is caused due to the other side effects of the drug, such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite as a result of intense nausea.
How often is epirubicin given?
You'll usually have one cycle (dose) of EC chemotherapy every three weeks. Both drugs are given on the same day.
Is dexamethasone a steroid?
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid). It works on the immune system to help relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.
How long does docetaxel extend life?
Docetaxel is normally given after hormone treatment has failed. But results, to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, will show earlier treatment can extend life expectancy from 43 to 65 months.
How many cycles of docetaxel can you have?
Prospective clinical trials to improve upon docetaxel have generally focused on the addition of a second active agent. In these trials the number of cycles has been arbitrarily set at 10 to 12 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable adverse effects occurred.
How long does it take for docetaxel to start working?
This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs. The use of scarves, wigs, hats, and hairpieces may help. Hair generally starts to regrow soon after treatment is completed.
How long does FEC treatment last?
You have FEC chemotherapy as cycles of treatment . This means you have the drugs and then a rest to allow your body to recover. Each cycle of treatment lasts 3 weeks. You usually have up to 6 cycles of treatment. You have all 3 drugs on the first day of each 3 week cycle.
Where does FEC go?
You have FEC into your bloodstream (intravenously). You might have treatment through a long plastic tube that goes into a large vein in your chest. The tube stays in place throughout the course of treatment. This can be a: central line. PICC line. portacath.
What do they check before and during a chemo treatment?
You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
What is FEC treatment?
FEC chemotherapy. FEC is a chemotherapy treatment used to treat breast cancer in women and men.
What is FEC used for?
FEC is used to treat breast cancer in women and men. It is best to read this information with our general information about chemotherapy and breast cancer in women and men. Your doctor will talk to you about this treatment and its possible side effects before you agree (consent) to have treatment.
Where is FEC given?
How FEC is given. You will be given FEC in the chemotherapy day unit. A chemotherapy nurse will give it to you. During treatment you usually see a cancer doctor, a chemotherapy nurse or a specialist nurse, and a specialist pharmacist. This is who we mean when we mention doctor, nurse or pharmacist in this information.
How long does it take to get a FEC?
Your nurse or doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you. Each cycle of FEC takes 21 days (three weeks).
What to do if you have cancer?
Medical and dental treatment. If you need medical treatment for any reason other than cancer, always tell the doctors and nurses you are having cancer treatment . Give them the contact details for your cancer doctor so they can ask for advice. If you think you need dental treatment, talk to your cancer doctor or nurse.
What is FEC-T used for?
FEC-T is a combination of four chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer. It takes its name from the initials of these drugs: 5 fluorouracil (also known as 5FU) epirubicin. cyclophosphamide. docetaxel (also known as Taxotere) FEC-T destroys cancer cells by interfering with their ability to divide and grow. 2.
How long does it take to get FEC-T?
It normally takes about an hour for the drugs to be given although you are likely to be at the hospital for longer than this. FEC-T chemotherapy is given in two parts. You’ll start by having FEC (5 fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide). This is given every three weeks.
Can FEC-T cause side effects?
Like any treatment, FEC-T can cause side effects. Everyone reacts differently to drugs and some people have more side effects than others. These can usually be controlled and those described here will not affect everyone.
What is FEC chemotherapy?
How FEC chemotherapy is given and possible side effects. FEC is the acronym for a chemotherapy regimen used in the treatment of breast cancer.
What is the treatment for breast cancer?
A chemotherapy regimen consisting of fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide used in the adjuvant setting for the primary treatment of breast cancer. This regimen is also used for the treatment of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer.
5-Flourouracil
Colon and rectal cancer. Breast cancer. Gastrointestinal cancers including: anal, esphageal, pancreas and gastric (stomach). Head and neck cancer * Hepatoma (liver cancer). Ovarian cancer. Topical use (cream or solution) in basal cell cancer of the skin and actinic keratoses. -see document fluorouracil (cream).
Epirubicin
Epirubicin is used to treat breast cancer. It is used as adjuvant therapy in women who have had surgery and have lymph node involvement.
Cyclophosphamide
Cancers treated with cyclophosphamide include: Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), t-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides), multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma; breast, testicular, endometrial, ovarian, and lung cancers, and in conditioning regimens for bone marrow transplantation..
What is FEC-T in chemo?
Fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel (FEC-T) FEC-T is the name of a chemotherapy combination that includes: It is a possible treatment for breast cancer.
What do they check before and during a chemo treatment?
You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
How long does it take to get fluorouracil?
You have fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) on the first day of each cycle. It takes about 30 minutes to have these 3 drugs. You then have no treatment for almost 3 weeks (20 days).
What is FEC D?
FEC-D is the code name of your breast cancer treatment regimen. A regimen is a combination of medications to treat cancer. This regimen name is made up of 1 or more letters from the names of the 4 medications in your treatment. Here are the names of the medications in this regimen: FEC = F luorouracil (also called 5-FU), E pirubicin, ...
How long does FEC treatment last?
For most people, treatment lasts 18 weeks. The treatment is divided into 6 cycles. Each cycle is 3 weeks long. Here is a picture of the schedule for FEC-D treatment: During each 3 week cycle you will have FEC or D treatment on day 1 at the hospital. Each cycle looks like this: Day 1. Treatment Day:
How long after FEC do you pee?
DO drink plenty of fluids (unless told otherwise) and pee often for 2 or 3 days after your FEC treatment to prevent bladder irritation.
