Docetaxel

Docetaxel (Taxotere) is a type of chemotherapy that treats all stages of breast cancer. It belongs to a class of chemotherapy medicines called taxanes, and can be used with other cancer treatments.

Docetaxel contains a combination of human-made and natural ingredients, including extract from yew tree needles.

How docetaxel works

Docetaxel works by damaging the structure or the “skeleton” that supports cancer cells. This stops the cancer cells from growing and dividing.

Who gets docetaxel

Docetaxel may be used in chemotherapy treatment regimens for most types of invasive breast cancer, including hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. It can be used with targeted therapy, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin), in treating HER2-positive breast cancers.

Docetaxel can also be given with the chemotherapy medicines doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) after surgery (adjuvant treatment) or before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment).

Docetaxel is sometimes given alone for metastatic breast cancer.

How docetaxel is given

Docetaxel is often given in combination to help treat breast cancer and prevent recurrence. Combinations include:

• TC (Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide)
• THP (Taxotere, Herceptin, and pertuzumab)

Docetaxel is given by vein, usually in several cycles, with a day (or days) of treatment followed by a period of “off” days. The exact schedule depends on the dose and combination of medicines.

For treatment of early-stage breast cancer that requires chemotherapy after surgery, docetaxel is usually given with other medicines every 3 weeks for six cycles.

In locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer, docetaxel is usually given every 3 weeks. But it can also be given in low doses weekly, often with fewer side effects. It may be given as long as it keeps the cancer from growing.

Side effects and things to remember

Docetaxel can cause an allergic reaction, so your doctor may give you medicine beforehand to prevent it. Usually, you start taking these medicines the day before each treatment and continue for 3 days. In some cases, you get the medicines with your docetaxel treatment instead.

Be sure to get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives or red skin rash; difficulty breathing; faintness; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

It’s important to know that the taxane chemotherapies docetaxel and paclitaxel (Taxol) have been reported to cause permanent hair loss in some people. Research shows that this is more likely with docetaxel. Scalp cooling has been shown to reduce the risk of temporary and permanent hair loss for people undergoing chemotherapy, including taxane chemotherapy. Talk with your care team about ways to manage this risk.

Other side effects of docetaxel may include:

• Bone or joint pain
• Fatigue
• Menstrual cycle changes
• Mouth sores
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the hands and feet)
• Rash
• Nail changes
• Neutropenia (a low number of a type of white blood cell that fights infection in your body)
• Anemia (a low number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen in your body to help give you energy)
• Thrombocytopenia (a low number of platelets, which help clot the blood to stop bleeding)

Because docetaxel can cause bone marrow suppression (which decreases your blood cell counts), your doctors will test your blood counts regularly.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about all your side effects so that they can help you manage them. You can also visit our section on side effects for more information.

Before starting docetaxel, tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the counter-medicines, as well as any existing or previous health problems.