Skip Navigation
Mortar_and_pestel

Regimen Information

For TCH, including Side Effects

TCH

Drugs in this Regimen:

For the treatment of Breast Cancer

How TCH chemotherapy is given and possible side effects.

TCH for the treatment of Breast Cancer

TCH is an acronym for a regimen used in the treatment of breast cancer.

DRUGS IN THE TC REGIMEN:

Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

Herceptin (transtuzumab)

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF TCH

  • Risk of Infection

  • Nausea & Vomiting

  • Hair Loss

For more information, see the 'Expert Resources' tab below.

Community Responses

Often, the most helpful information regarding treatment side effects comes not from clinical brochures, but rather from other patients like you. We've collected the most helpful community resources to help you prepare for the side effects and coping tips for your chemotherapy regimen.

What side effects did you experience while on this medication?

The following have been voted the 3 most helpful responses to this question.

Hi, I'm gant

second treatment was rough, end up with infection of my tonsil 3 days after my treatment which landed me in the hospital for three days. Low WBC unable to eat for 5 days due to the swelling of the throat. received antibodies, streoid, and pain meds. until the infection finished it’s course. I went for my third treatment and it was change. I want the best course of treatment. I can put with the side of effect if they are only their for a short period of time. I want complete healing. I mush rather go through the nausea and throwing up to get the best out come. Do I sound crazy

  • Wed Jun 12, 2013
Hi, I'm Leslie

I am on #5 of 6, the first one landed me in bed for 2 days straight, slept and cried and ached, experienced loose bowels and severe cramping and fever. but on day three i felt like i returned to the land of the living! each treatment has been harder and harder to bounce back from the fatigue. always accompanied by cramps and loose bowels. the type you need to breath through! new drugs help but don’t stop it, now i have internal hemhroid ! ouch! and my toes are peeling, itchy and burning. Oh well this pooh shall pass! lol 1 more to go come Jan 7! hurray! I’ve made it this far with much support from family and friends and God! the worst symptoms last 4-5 days and will see what this treatment brings! but through it all I’m so thankful, haver developed an attitude of gratitude and a new perspective on whats really important. A big change in priorities, some new BC friends and an amazing staff of Drs and nurses! I’m so grateful for my God, my family and friends! old and new! Staying positive and laughing as much as possible! Thank God for my loved ones sense of humor! we actually have fun @ chemo and bring some Life to the place! People often come in to see whats going on, they hang out and enjoy the commradery! we craft, we laugh and i enjoy every minute!

Thanks for lending me this space and time!

Leslie

  • Wed Dec 19, 2012
I'm DoctorRX, and I support someone with cancer

My mother’s first round is going on no side effects yet hopefully

  • Wed Dec 5, 2012
I'm DoctorRX, and I support someone with cancer

My mother’s first round is going on no side effects yet hopefully

  • Wed Dec 5, 2012
Hi, I'm Leslie

I am on #5 of 6, the first one landed me in bed for 2 days straight, slept and cried and ached, experienced loose bowels and severe cramping and fever. but on day three i felt like i returned to the land of the living! each treatment has been harder and harder to bounce back from the fatigue. always accompanied by cramps and loose bowels. the type you need to breath through! new drugs help but don’t stop it, now i have internal hemhroid ! ouch! and my toes are peeling, itchy and burning. Oh well this pooh shall pass! lol 1 more to go come Jan 7! hurray! I’ve made it this far with much support from family and friends and God! the worst symptoms last 4-5 days and will see what this treatment brings! but through it all I’m so thankful, haver developed an attitude of gratitude and a new perspective on whats really important. A big change in priorities, some new BC friends and an amazing staff of Drs and nurses! I’m so grateful for my God, my family and friends! old and new! Staying positive and laughing as much as possible! Thank God for my loved ones sense of humor! we actually have fun @ chemo and bring some Life to the place! People often come in to see whats going on, they hang out and enjoy the commradery! we craft, we laugh and i enjoy every minute!

Thanks for lending me this space and time!

Leslie

  • Wed Dec 19, 2012
I'm Valerie, and I support someone with cancer

My mom begins 1 of 6 rounds on 2/7/13; trying to remain hopeful & positive. This will be rough for her, she is HIV & HEP C positive as well for the last 20 years & by God’s grace, has remained healthy for the most part, with a strong immune system. We are hoping she is strong enough to get through this.

  • Fri Jan 25, 2013
Hi, I'm catherine e

The nausea was bad until I finally got a patch to wear after the second round. The nausea and metal taste kept me from eating good food for weeks and I was severely anemic. I made it through 4 of 6 rounds but we had to discontinue after I fought cellulitis, strept throat, lesions in mouth throat and severe bone pain. I continued the herceptin for a year.
Now, 14 months out, I have peripheral neuropathy that started after the second round. My feet, calves and hands burn and sting constantly. I am being treated at a pain clinic.

  • Sun Mar 17, 2013
Hi, I'm ADI
ADI

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 1 week ago. Stage 2, anyone outhere that had this? And how did your tratment help so far.

  • Fri Apr 26, 2013
Pam
Pam
Hi, I'm Pam
Pam

I found out I had DCIS in my right breast in October, had right mastectomy in November and I started my treatment in Dec 2013. I was on taxotere, carboplatin, and Herceptin every 3 weeks. I finished T & C on April 1 (total of 6 treatments). The Herceptin I will take until December 2013. In the beginning the changes in taste and nausea started about day 4 and lasted about 1 week. The taste improved just before the next treatment. I was tired and took naps on my days off. The worse treatments for me were 5 and 6 and especially 6. The nausea was worse for both and started sooner and lasted longer. My hair started falling out at week 3 so I went ahead and buzzed it short. I kept a little bit of hair all the way through then lost the last of it after last treatment. It is now been 6 weeks since TC and my hair is starting to grow back with the very top close to my forehead coming in very slow. I still tire easily but so much better than before. The best thing is taste. When I eat something that taste normal it feels like a party in my mouth. I am going this month for consult for left mastectomy (no cancer) because my breasts were large and I do not like being lopsided. Hope to get implants in August. It is a journey and even with the help of others there are lots of feelings and emotions to work out inside.
Pam

  • Tue Jun 11, 2013
Hi, I'm gant

second treatment was rough, end up with infection of my tonsil 3 days after my treatment which landed me in the hospital for three days. Low WBC unable to eat for 5 days due to the swelling of the throat. received antibodies, streoid, and pain meds. until the infection finished it’s course. I went for my third treatment and it was change. I want the best course of treatment. I can put with the side of effect if they are only their for a short period of time. I want complete healing. I mush rather go through the nausea and throwing up to get the best out come. Do I sound crazy

  • Wed Jun 12, 2013
Hi, I'm gant

second treatment was rough, end up with infection of my tonsil 3 days after my treatment which landed me in the hospital for three days. Low WBC unable to eat for 5 days due to the swelling of the throat. received antibodies, streoid, and pain meds. until the infection finished it’s course. I went for my third treatment and it was change. I want the best course of treatment. I can put with the side of effect if they are only their for a short period of time. I want complete healing. I mush rather go through the nausea and throwing up to get the best out come. Do I sound crazy

  • Wed Jun 12, 2013
Hi, I'm Janice C.

I had my first treatment on Friday,September 13th. I was so anxious about it, but it turned out to be fairly simple. Sunday morning I went for my Neulasta injection. Sunday afternoon I began to feel achey, like the flu, in my bones. It was really bad over night and then, after a few motrin, disappeared. Then Tuesday through Friday I had some of those mind numbing cramps and loose bowels…but all managable during the day and I was even able to go to work. Although, soon as I came home…straight to bed, curled up in a ball. Friday I was so exhausted I left work early. By Friday night I was feeling pretty good…now, today, 11 days later, I feel like my olds self. Keeping my fingers crossed that the next round is this easy! One down….five more to go!

  • Tue Sep 24, 2013
Hi, I'm lucky

I am day 7 post tch cycle one ,the bone pain and joint pain is unbearable but I think it from the injection I got 24 houre post chemo could this be the case??

  • Sun Feb 1, 2015

I just finished my 6th round of chemotherapy for HER2positive stage one breast cancer (DCIS). I had two surgeries, an MRI and two blood transfusions because of low blood counts. My worst side effects were during the 5th and 6th chemos. My side effects lasted longer…nauseous, no appetite, running nose and eyes the whole time of treatment, bleeding nose, neuropathy in the fingers, sore fingernails, and the last treatment dizziness as well and tired thighs. There is nothing pleasant about this experience, but I hope and pray it is killing the cancer. I have had marvelous support for friends (especially) and family. I do feel that I have very good doctors and am getting good care and treatment. Next I will have more Herceptin treatments along with radiation. I truly understand the blessing of good health now and have always been healthy until this diagnosis. Hopefully, with all the treatment I will have many good years left. I am 67. I also worked (part time) standing during my treatment except for the days of treatment and 4 days following and that was very difficult.

  • Wed Jul 15, 2015

I had lots of dizziness, loss of appetite and neuropathy. I did okay until treatments 4, 5 and 6. Could really feel the culmination of all the chemo coming together. Was so glad it was over at the end of June 2015

  • Tue Oct 13, 2015

This discussion needs your voice!

What were the specific side effects that you experienced while taking this medication? How did you manage them?

What coping tips would you give to new patients on this regimen?

There are currently no answers to this question. Be the first to answer!

This discussion needs your voice!

What do you wish you had known before taking this medication? What information would you like to pass on to patients who are beginning this medication?

Treatment Overview

This chemotherapy regimen is commonly used to treat:

See Expert Resources

The Navigating Care Library includes articles about cancer, chemotherapy regimens and drugs from the the National Cancer Institute and other experts.