Adjuvant docetaxel plus doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide increases survival compared with fluorouracil plus doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in women with operable node-positive breast cancer

In summary, on the basis of available data, TAC can be considered as an acceptable option for patients with resected node-positive breast cancer and a step in the ongoing evolution of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. The significantly increased toxicity of the regimen cannot be overlooked and the oncologists should carefully evaluate the efficacy/toxicity ratio of the regimen on an individualised basis; including the addition of prophylactic growth factor support. Whether TAC will prove superior to the other contemporary regimens, such as dose-dense AC → T, must await the results of ongoing clinical trials. Patients should be encouraged to enroll in these and other clinical trials whenever possible.