How a Single Lump Led to a Life-Saving Diagnosis and Unyielding Hope

A mysterious lump on the back of her head in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, set the stage for an unexpected medical journey that began with puzzling symptoms and culminated in renewed life. Cheryl, 58, initially assumed the lump was a spider bite or ingrown hair, but a hospital scan revealed something far more alarming. A biopsy uncovered liver cells in the tumor on her head, prompting the devastating news: Stage IV hepatic carcinoma that had metastasized to her skull.

Seeking advanced care, Cheryl’s local oncologist advised a consultation at Mount Sinai in New York City, where Dr. Max Sung and Dr. Aaron Fischman led a multidisciplinary team. Radioembolization and chemoembolization (TACE) emerged as key options, beginning with a “mapping” procedure to confirm whether the chemo path would bypass her healthy lungs. Although the initial mapping was unsuccessful, the doctors found that radioembolization was still a viable solution. Their persistence and specialized approach allowed for another mapping attempt, ultimately enabling chemoembolization.

Weakened by intense treatments, Cheryl spent weeks coping with severe nausea and fatigue. Despite these challenges, follow-up scans showed the left side of her liver responded exceptionally well, leaving only a few small spots on the right side, which continue to be monitored. When tumors on her rib and sternum caused pain, cryoablation (freezing) provided relief. To bolster overall progress, a newer immunotherapy drug also became part of her regimen, further enhancing her positive response.

Today, Cheryl returns for scans every three months and, to everyone’s relief, has seen no new cancer growth. Though minor lesions remain, they show no recent size changes. Her clinical team emphasizes her remarkable recovery as an example of resilience, expert care, and unrelenting optimism. By trusting her specialists and focusing on living fully, Cheryl stands as proof that even Stage IV cancer can be challenged head-on.