Long-term erlotinib treatment alongside worsening kidney vasculitis

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

Metastatic Site: bone

Bone metastases showed osteosclerotic change after erlotinib began, and the drug continued because he was benefiting from treatment despite worsening renal vasculitis.

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Stage IV Breast Cancer: Marie-Pierre's Patient Story

Patient Info: Marie-Pierre Bertrand, Female, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; Bone

As of January 2022, Marie-Pierre was living with chronic metastatic breast cancer after 18 months of chemotherapy, breast surgery, radiation, and ongoing oncology follow-up.

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Stage IV ovarian cancer complicated by a spontaneous vaginal fistula

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

After postoperative chemotherapy, she was clinically well and imaging showed no visible tumor during 8 months of follow-up.

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Stage IV Breast Cancer: Simone's Patient Story

Patient Info: Simone | Stage IV

Simone has recently been diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer and is awaiting the start of her planned treatment.

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Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Khoo's Patient Story

Patient Info: Khoo | Stage IV

Khoo remained on chemotherapy for Stage IV colorectal cancer and described becoming more optimistic over time.

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Long-term complete response to nivolumab after recurrent Stage IV gastric cancer

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

Biomarkers: HER2-negative, PD-L1 CPS ≤1

Metastatic Site: peritoneum, distant lymph nodes

About 7 years after surgery and roughly 3 years after starting nivolumab, CT showed no recurrent nodules or enlarged lymph nodes. She remained on nivolumab with a complete clinical response, had regained weight and returned to work.

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Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Abby's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Abby Kanarek, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: PD-L1 90%

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of November 2021, Abby was in remission 2 years after only 4 Keytruda infusions, with the lung cancer eliminated and ongoing surveillance by a multidisciplinary City of Hope team.

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Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Buddy's Patient Story

Patient Info: Buddy (Bernard), Male, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: adrenal gland

Buddy died on November 9, 2012, a little more than 3 months after diagnosis.

Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Karen's Patient Story

Patient Info: Karen Lucas, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Karen died peacefully at home on January 30, 2014, at age 62, a little over 1 year after her Stage IV diagnosis.

Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Patricia's Patient Story

Patient Info: Patricia Etienne, Female, 50s | Stage IV

Six months after diagnosis, Patricia reported feeling better physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and had resumed exercise and church activities.

Stage IV Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Doran's Patient Story

Patient Info: Doran Barro, Female, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: peritoneum|liver|lungs

Doran entered hospice on September 24 and died on September 30, 2014, about 5 months after diagnosis.

Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Ernie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ernie Pierce, Male, 60s | Stage IV

He died on July 8, 2009, after living with Stage IV gastric cancer for about 15 months.

Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Jeanne's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jeanne Guercia, Female, 70+ | Stage IV

She was living with Stage IV stomach cancer, with her husband serving as her primary caregiver.

Stage IV Lung Cancer: Anne's Patient Story

Patient Info: Anne LaPorte, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Mutation identified by next-generation sequencing; specific mutation not reported

Metastatic Site: Spine; hips; lymph nodes; liver

As of November 2021, Anne was living with Stage IV lung cancer after oral treatment guided by tumor testing and later radiation, reporting a meaningful quality of life while advocating for self-advocacy and research.

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Stage IV Lung Cancer: Jeff's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jeff Meckstroth, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Mutation identified by liquid biopsy; specific mutation not reported

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of November 2021, Jeff had lived more than 6 years after a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis, with brain metastases cleared after an unnamed brain-penetrant therapy, while his cancer had progressed on multiple occasions.

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Stage IV Lung Cancer: Keasha's Patient Story

Patient Info: Keasha Draft, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Keasha Draft died 1 month after marrying Chris Draft following a sudden Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis; the story is told to honor her and advance lung cancer awareness.

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Kidney Injury During Nivolumab Treatment for Stage IV Gastric Cancer

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

Kidney function and proteinuria improved after nivolumab was stopped, but the gastric cancer progressed. Restarted nivolumab was ineffective, and treatment was changed to irinotecan.

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Stage IV BRCA2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Julie's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: BRCA2 mutation

Metastatic Site: Bone

Julie was first staged IIA with lobular breast cancer in 2019, then learned after chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation that the cancer had spread to her bones, making it Stage IV metastatic disease.

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Stage IV Lung Cancer: Steve's Patient Story

Patient Info: Steve Castellaw, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: right pelvis, L1 and L2 vertebrae, skull

After about 2 years on sotorasib, Steve had a large reduction in tumor size and his latest scans continued to look good while he returned to golf, exercise, and normal daily life.

Stage IV HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer: Bryan's Patient Story

Patient Info: Bryan Chagolla, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: liver

Bryan had a strong response to trastuzumab deruxtecan in 2021. He died on May 13, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Màrius's Patient Story

Patient Info: Màrius, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Bone: vertebra/cervical spine and ribs

As of October 2021, Màrius was living with metastatic male breast cancer described as dormant on lifelong medication after chemotherapy, radiation, 3 operations, and cyclin-inhibitor treatment.

Living with Cancer & My Survivorship : Lung Cancer

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

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive; T790M mutation

As of September 2021, Ashley was living with incurable but treatable EGFR-positive T790M non-small cell lung cancer and described 43 months on treatment/journey while using community support to sustain hope.

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A Severe Delayed Immune Reaction After Treatment for Metastatic Colon Cancer

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

Metastatic Site: liver

He recovered from repeated episodes of severe cytokine release syndrome after prolonged corticosteroids, completed adjuvant FOLFOX and CV301 without nivolumab, and had no further CRS episodes.

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Stage IV EGFR Lung Cancer: Ashley's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ashley, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive; T790M-positive

Metastatic Site: Not reported

As of September 2021, Ashley was living with incurable but treatable EGFR-positive/T790M-positive lung cancer on daily osimertinib/Tagrisso with ongoing oncology monitoring and side-effect management.

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