Question 1

what is the difference between taxol and taxotere (docetaxel)?

Accepted Answer

Similar drugs: Taxol is a type of chemotherapy extracted originally from the pacific yew tree- taxotere (docetaxel) is a synthetic drug that works similarly. Both are used in treatment of many cancers (breast, lung, ovary, head/neck, stomach, esophageal, prostate, etc). Both are given every 3-4 weeks but Taxol is given every week fashion too. Taxol can cause more nerve damage while taxotere (docetaxel) can affect blood counts more.

Question 2

what is the difference between 21 dayys cycle &dosage dense regim in carboplatin/taxol?

Accepted Answer

Chemo: Dose-dense chemo given every 14 days instead 21. You should discuss with the doctor the reasons for offering it, could be a few.

Question 3

what is the difference between gemzar (gemcitabine) & taxol?  i have three stage 4 cancers.

Accepted Answer

Both are caner drugs: Gemzar (gemcitabine) or gemcitibine antimetabolite drug given in varieties of cancer including breast cancer acts on cancer cell dna and kills the cancer cell ..Taxal or paciltaxal  a plant alkaloid is also cancer chemthraputic agent kills c ca cell by mitotic inhibition zimzar & taxal are good effective drugs widely used  by i v with combination with some other drugs. Speak to your oncologist.

Question 4

want to stay on herceptin (trastuzumab) and switch from taxol to gemzar.  what is the difference?

Accepted Answer

Her 2 + cancer: That seems like a reasonable strategy if recommended by your oncologist for progressive her 2 positive cancer. Gemzar (gemcitabine) is better tolerated and less side effects.

Question 5

taxotere (docetaxel) side effects?

Accepted Answer

Taxotere (docetaxel): It may cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash weakness, nail changes, joint pains, supression to bone marrow - anemia, decreased white blood cells, low platelet, numbness, tingling, infection etc. 
Read more here : http://www.Nlm.Nih.Gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a696031.Html.

Question 6

can taxol (paclitaxel) treat pneumonitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Taxol (paclitaxel) is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat malignant, metastatic disease.  Pneumonitis is an inflammatory process that needs antibiotics to bring the disease under control.  One of the complications of chemo like Taxol (paclitaxel) is suppressing the immune system.  As such reports appear that pneumonitis following the use of Taxol (paclitaxel) as in breast cancer  occurs following the use of this agent.

Question 7

is there a chemo alternative to docetaxel?

Accepted Answer

There may be: It depends on the type of cancer it is being used for. If it is for breast or lung cancer, yes there is a similar drug called Paclitaxel which can replace it in most cases. Discuss this option with your doctor. Another new drug is called nab-paclitaxel which is the best drug among the 3 of them.

Question 8

is neulasta (pegfilgrastim) needed with weekly taxol?

Accepted Answer

Speak to : Your oncologist, will explain about your medicatio(s) Taxol like several cancer medications , kills cancer cells also effects on infection preventing WBC , reducing their count , Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is a WBC cell  booster helps preventing infections

Question 9

what is the role of taxol (paclitaxel) in chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Kills cancer cells!: Taxol (paclitaxel) works by preventing cancer cells from reproducing themselves.  In the picture you can see green "microtubules" that are pulling a cancer cell apart into two daughter cells.  Taxol blocks microtubules, preventing them from being able to pull the cancer cell into two daughter cells.  The cancer cell gets stuck trying to divide, and it dies.  Taxol works for many cancer types.

Question 10

can gemcitabine be substituted for taxotere (docetaxel)?

Accepted Answer

Gem for taxotere (docetaxel): Short answer is no. It cannot be substituted. Now depending upon the underlying cancer whether lung, breast, pancreatic or any other primary solid tumor, one can use taxol, Abraxane or Navelbine (vinorelbine) (they are taxanes like taxotere). If we want to move to a different agent altogether, then Gemzar or a no of other drugs would be available depending upon what the primary tumor is.

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Doctor answers about:

Difference between taxol and taxotere

A member asked:

What is the difference between taxol and taxotere (docetaxel)?

A member asked:

What is the difference between 21 dayys cycle &dosage dense regim in carboplatin/taxol?

A member asked:

What is the difference between gemzar (gemcitabine) & taxol? i have three stage 4 cancers.

A member asked:

Want to stay on herceptin (trastuzumab) and switch from taxol to gemzar. what is the difference?

A member asked:

Taxotere (docetaxel) side effects?

A member asked:

Can taxol (paclitaxel) treat pneumonitis?

A member asked:

Is there a chemo alternative to docetaxel?

A member asked:

Is neulasta (pegfilgrastim) needed with weekly taxol?

A member asked:

What is the role of taxol (paclitaxel) in chemotherapy?

A member asked:

Can gemcitabine be substituted for taxotere (docetaxel)?

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