From Initial Diagnosis to a Decade-Long Fight, a Patient’s Inspiring Story of Strength and Treatment Success

A 61-year-old woman first faced gastric cancer in 2009, undergoing a subtotal gastrectomy and four cycles of postoperative chemotherapy. For over a decade, regular follow-ups showed no recurrence. However, in April 2020, she experienced upper abdominal discomfort, leading to a diagnosis of residual gastric cancer. She underwent extensive surgery, including the removal of parts of her stomach, jejunum, and colon. Post-surgery, two cycles of SOX chemotherapy were administered, followed by routine monitoring.

In September 2021, cauliflower-like masses appeared on her back, later identified as squamous cell carcinoma. No anti-tumor treatment was provided at that time. By March 2022, the skin lesions spread to her neck, chest, and abdomen, becoming erythematous and raised. Imaging revealed multiple soft tissue nodules and extensive internal metastases. A biopsy confirmed infiltrative adenocarcinoma originating from the gastrointestinal tract.

In August 2022, the patient started chemotherapy with Bevacizumab and Albumin-bound Paclitaxel. Over ten cycles, significant tumor remission and improvement in skin lesions were observed. Monitoring through July 2023 showed stable tumor markers and no major abnormalities in blood or liver function tests.

NOTE: While data from her initial 2009 surgery was unavailable, specialists concluded that she had undergone total gastrectomy with D2 radical surgery, a standard procedure in East Asia.