Stage 4: 1,129 Real Stories

1,129 stories match stage 4. 777 of them mention chemotherapy.

Cancer Stories

Scott, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Scott's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Scott Zeff, Male, 60s | Stage IV

As of January 2026, Scott had finished treatment for Stage IV rectal cancer, the cancer had not spread to other areas, and he was recovering with a temporary ileostomy while moving forward cancer-free.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

MET exon 14 skipping lung adenocarcinoma: sequential MET-TKI toxicity and ongoing chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: MET exon 14 skipping mutation; EGFR negative; ALK negative; ROS1 negative; PD-L1 tumor proportion score 10%

Metastatic Site: pleura

The cancer recurred with pleural dissemination after surgery and adjuvant UFT. Sequential MET inhibitors and systemic therapies provided periods of disease control but were limited by ILD and non-ILD toxicities; at the report, he remained on carboplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal AdenocarcinomaColorectal Cancer

Stage IV MSI-H KRAS-mutant colorectal adenocarcinoma: severe pembrolizumab-associated hypercalcemia resolved with steroids and zoledronic acid

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: KRAS G12xa mutation; MSI-H; BRAF wild type; NRAS wild type; PTH low-normal

Metastatic Site: liver

After the second pembrolizumab dose, severe hypercalcemia and electrolyte abnormalities resolved with high-dose glucocorticoids, zoledronic acid, and supportive care; cancer response was not yet described.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Stage IV gastric cancer with benign breast hemangioma during ramucirumab therapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Gastric cancer: HER2 negative, PD-L1 TPS >=5%

Metastatic Site: peritoneum; preaortic lymph nodes; omentum

After initial response to FOLFOX/nivolumab and temporary benefit from paclitaxel/ramucirumab and FOLFIRI, the gastric cancer progressed to massive ascites. Trifluridine/tipiracil was attempted, but she died from rapid disease progression.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer Discovered After Widespread Bone Metastases

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ER 90–95%; PR 90–95%; HER2 IHC 0; Ki-67 5%; germline BRCA1/2 negative

Metastatic Site: bone, bone marrow

She was receiving ongoing letrozole and ribociclib for Stage IV hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with diffuse bone involvement.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

KRAS G12C Stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with synchronous urothelial carcinoma and durable response

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Lung adenocarcinoma: KRAS ; PD-L1 TPS 5%. Urothelial carcinoma: GATA3-positive; CK7-positive; TTF1-negative.

Metastatic Site: homolateral pulmonary metastases and N2 lymph nodes…

After enfortumab vedotin, the urothelial carcinoma reached complete radiologic response and the lung cancer remained partially responding/stable; treatment was stopped after 16 months, and PET 2 months later showed complete metabolic response.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
Jennifer, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Jennifer's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jennifer, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR genomic mutation

Metastatic Site: Not reported

Jennifer is alive more than 5.5 years after a Stage IV adenocarcinoma diagnosis, continuing EGFR-targeted treatment and living with ongoing side effects and surveillance needs.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian CancerOvarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer Metastatic to an Axillary Lymph Node Without Breast Disease

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRCA1/2 negative

Metastatic Site: right axillary lymph node

Secondary cytoreductive surgery in April 2025 achieved complete macroscopic cytoreduction, and she was discharged without complications.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage 2 breast cancer: lump discovered at 61, successful treatment

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Breast neuroendocrine tumor was ER/PR strongly positive, HER2 1+

Metastatic Site: lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, bone (ribs, spine,…

After Stage IIA primary breast neuroendocrine tumor treated with lumpectomy, sentinel lymph-node biopsy, radiation, and short-duration anastrozole, the patient developed metastatic recurrence about 2 years later, declined additional therapy, entered hospice, and died 1 month later.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IV METex14 lung adenocarcinoma: responding well to capmatinib and SBRT

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: MET exon 14 skipping mutation; PD-L1 >80%. EGFR/RAS/MEK wild type; lung-origin markers present.

Metastatic Site: brain; bone (thoracic/lumbar vertebrae, right iliac…

At 24 months after diagnosis, he was alive, asymptomatic, and continuing capmatinib with no evidence of progression and excellent tolerance.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with suspected myocardial metastasis responding to afatinib plus chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR L861Q; PD-L1 TPS/CPS 65%. TP53, MET and PIK3CA alterations also reported.

Metastatic Site: left ventricular myocardium; mediastinal lymph nodes…

As of December 2025, the suspected left-ventricular myocardial metastasis had shrunk after 2 courses of afatinib plus pemetrexed/cisplatin, and the patient had no cardiovascular events during monitoring.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer with occult metastasis in parathyroid and ectopic thyroid adenomas: complete remission after chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Triple-negative breast cancer. Metastatic deposits were CK7 positive and negative for ER, HER2

Metastatic Site: parathyroid adenoma; ectopic thyroid adenoma /…

As of December 2025, she remained in complete remission 1 year after systemic chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer with occult metastatic deposits in parathyroid and ectopic thyroid adenomas.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IVA EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion: stable disease on ivonescimab plus pemetrexed

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion persisted. Later pleural fluid had PD-L1 TPS 40% / CPS 41, low TMB

Metastatic Site: pleura / malignant pleural effusion

As of August 2025, Stage IVA EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion was stable on ivonescimab plus pemetrexed after prior progression on gefitinib, almonertinib, and ivonescimab monotherapy.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Chelsey, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Chelsey's Patient Story

Patient Info: Chelsey Pickthorn, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Triple-negative breast cancer

As of December 2025, Chelsey was described as a patient advocate living with Stage IV triple-negative breast cancer, with the conversation focused on LGBTQ+ sexuality, relationships, disclosure, caregiving, body image, and inclusive cancer care.

Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful (LBBC)
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Metastatic Breast Cancer Causing Bile Duct Obstruction and Liver Failure

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Metastatic biopsy ER-negative, PR-negative, HER2-negative

Metastatic Site: bone, liver, common bile duct

Her metastatic breast cancer progressed rapidly with diffuse liver involvement and bile-duct invasion, leading to liver failure and death 28 days after admission.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory