My sister is being treated for breast cancer ( IDC, triple negative status, Grade 3, Stage 2B, post lumpectomy with clear margins, 1 node out of 11 positive, also removed with clear margins), and with soon start a chemotherapy protocol which will begin with AC.
Her oncologist plans to give her an injection of Neulasta (pegfilgrastim ) each week during this phase of tx. I know that this medication is used to reduce the chance of infection related to the decrease of neutrophils associated with some chemotherapies, but that it may also cause some unpleasant or serious side effects...
My understanding was that in the past it was usually given in response to a drop in neutrophils, documented by blood tests, rather than prophylactically. My question is: Has it now become the standard practice to administer it on a routine, rather than responsive basis, or is opinion mixed about this among oncologists?
I am in no way trying to "second guess" my sister's oncologist, because she both likes and highly respects him, but I am curious about where the field of oncology currently stands on this issue.
Thanks for any information you may provide.