TAXTOX - a retrospective study regarding the side effects of docetaxel given as part of the adjuvant treatment to patients with primary breast cancer in Denmark from 2007 to 2009

In 2007 docetaxel was introduced as part of the adjuvant setting offered to high risk breast cancer patients in Denmark. Meta-analyses had shown that taxane-containing chemotherapy reduced the relative risk of relapse and death by 20-30%, apparently with moderate side effects. The treatment was given as three cycles of cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)) and epirubicin (90 mg/m(2)) followed by three cycles of docetaxel (100 mg/m(2)). Because of an apparent high incidence of side effects, especially febrile neutropenia (FN) and non-hematologic side effects, the DBCG (The Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group) initiated a retrospective study of adverse reactions to the newly introduced regime and all patients were offered primary prophylaxis with growth factors (G-CSF) pr 1/1-2008.