TAC stands for the three chemotherapy drugs that are used in the treatment of breast cancer. TAC stands for Taxotere, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide respectively where in Taxotere is the brand name for Docetaxel and Adriamycin is the brand name for Doxorubicin. These three chemotherapy drugs are used in a combination and are found to be very effective regimes in the treatment of breast cancer. TAC chemotherapy for breast cancer is essentially an outpatient treatment which means that the patient does not need to be admitted in the hospital but only needs to pay visit to the hospital as per advised by the doctor. The course of TAC treatment is broken down into different chemotherapy cycles, the period of which may vary due to various factors. Normally a course of treatment is broken down into 3 to 6 chemotherapy cycles given over a period of 3 to 4 months. It is not necessary that the same number cycles would be given to the same number of months. It depends on the patient’s general health, the treatment response and other such factors but 3 chemotherapy cycles are minimal.

Procedure of TAC Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Now, how is TAC Chemotherapy for breast cancer given? As mentioned earlier, a patient need not be admitted for TAC chemotherapy treatment. It can be done in a few hours and the patient can go back home. However, before the treatment commences, the patient is required to take a blood test on the same day of the treatment or few days prior to it. If no abnormality is suggested in the blood tests, chemotherapy drugs are prepared for the treatment. This procedure could take an hour or more after which a cannula or a thin and flexible tube is inserted into a vein in the hand. While the drugs are being prepared, the patient is given anti-sickness drugs. These drugs could either be given in the form of tablets, could be given through the cannula with the use of an injection or could also be given through PICC line or a central line connected to the drip or infusion. Once the anti-sickness drugs are given comes the chemotherapy drugs, which are given separately. Doxorubicin / adriamycin is given through an injection into the cannula or PICC line along with an infusion of saline. Then docetaxel / taxotere is given through the drip and lastly cyclophosphamide is given either through the drip or through an injection along with saline. Patients can go home after the cannula is removed. If the chemotherapy drugs were administered using a PICC line then it will not be removed and will be asked to keep as it is and take care of until the next chemotherapy cycle. Sickening feeling may arise after the treatment and to prevent it more anti-sickness drugs are advised to be taken at home by the doctor.

Side Effects of TAC Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Response to chemotherapy treatment may differ for every patient. Some can get away with minor TAC chemotherapy side effects that could be easily managed and cured and some could be affected by severe side effects. Given below is a list of side effects that are commonly associated with TAC chemotherapy. However, please note that all of the mentioned side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer may or may not be evident in all the patients undergoing TAC chemotherapy for breast cancer.

• Low Count of WBC - The condition where a patient has less than the normal count of white blood cells is called as neutropania. Chemotherapy affects the production of white blood cells which is produced by the bone marrow. This makes the body less resistant to infections and the risk of being affected by minor infections is also very high in such patients. This chemotherapy ill-effect may start appearing from the seventh day after the chemotherapy and could start to disappear on the fourteenth day or so until the next chemotherapy cycle. It comes back to normal after a certain time as the bone marrow starts to produce white blood cells and maintains a steady count. If no improvement is seen in the number of white blood cells, the patient may be given protein drugs through injections that help to increase the count of blood cells.
• Low Count of RBC - Commonly referred to as anemia, it makes the patient look pale, dull and makes them feel tired and breathless. A good diet and plenty of rest may be suggested along with some medicines. Low count of platelets in the blood could also result in unexplained bleeding and bruising and spots and rashes could also be seen on the skin.
• Hair Loss / Alopecia - This is not a permanent condition however during the TAC chemotherapy, the patient may notice immense hair loss, thinning of eyebrows and eyelashes will also be evident. Scalp cooling and other such methods may be advised by the doctor to improve hair growth and after the breast cancer treatment the patient can notice a remarkable change.
• Mouth Ulcers or Sore Mouth - During the treatment one may feel dryness and soreness in the mouth. Adequate fluid intake and oral hygiene can help reduce the chances of the same. The doctor may prescribe certain medicines and mouthwashes to tackle this problem. This is not necessarily related to sore mouth but taste changes is also a common side effect during the treatment.
• Bladder Irritation - The last chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide has a tendency to irritate the bladder. Hence, it is imperative that the patients undergoing TAC chemotherapy ensure that they take enough water and other fluids. A slight change in color of the urine should not be misunderstood to be a problem as it is entirely normal if the urine appears to be in a pinkish red color within 24 hours after the treatment.

Other common and uncommon side effects of TAC chemotherapy for breast cancer include skin and nail changes, allergic reactions, numbness in toes and fingers, muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhea, constipation and fluid retention.