Stage IV BRCA Breast Cancer: Maralee's Survivor Story

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

Biomarkers: BRCA mutation

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of May 2026, Maralee had no evidence of active disease after prior Stage IV breast cancer with brain metastasis, had stopped the PARP inhibitor after 2 years, remained without brain recurrence long enough to pursue pregnancy, and gave birth to a second daughter.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Stage IV RET-fusion transverse colon cancer: partial response to selpercatinib after capecitabine progression

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

Biomarkers: Colon cancer had RET fusion, KRAS copy-number gain, low TMB, and no KRAS/NRAS/BRAF hotspot mutations.

Metastatic Site: liver

As of May 2026, she remained on reduced-dose selpercatinib with tolerable toxicity, substantial partial response in liver metastases and the primary tumor, and progression-free survival exceeding 14 months.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Kartik's Patient Story

Patient Info: Kartik, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EML4/ALK mutation

Kartik was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK-rearranged lung cancer at age 28, continued working for several years through a targeted clinical trial, and died in 2015 at age 34.

GO2 FoundationRead more →

Kyle Rising-Moore

Patient Info: Kyle Rising-Moore, 40s | Stage IV

Kyle remained alive after Stage IV colorectal cancer treatment and was rebuilding his life while seeking a new medical team after a disruption in care.

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

Gastric cancer treatment during hemodialysis after liver recurrence

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

Biomarkers: HER2-negative

Metastatic Site: liver|peritoneum

The cancer progressed in the peritoneum despite treatment, and systemic therapy was stopped in August 2024 before transfer to hospice in October 2024.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Nathan's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Nathan, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; peritoneal membrane

Declared tumor-free after aggressive treatment for Stage IV colon cancer, including colectomy, FOLFOX chemotherapy, and HIPEC, while continuing to live with treatment effects, an ileostomy, neuropathy, and scan anxiety.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Mariana's Patient Story

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

Metastatic Site: Ovary; abdominal wall/peritoneum

Ongoing treatment for Stage IV colon cancer with good response during chemotherapy, allowing oxaliplatin to be stopped while continuing treatment every 2 weeks.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: David's Patient Story

Patient Info: David, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lung; tailbone/bone

Had clear scans after multiple treatments for recurrent Stage IV colon cancer, but a later positive Signatera test suggested possible microscopic disease and more treatment was being planned.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IVA EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma: stable disease on first-line osimertinib

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion; baseline EGFR exon 20 T790M mutation; ALK IHC negative; PD-L1 TPS 30%; TTF-1-positive

Metastatic Site: pleura; malignant pleural-pericardial adhesions

As of April 2026, she had stable disease for more than 9 months on first-line osimertinib, with no progressive disease, no recurrent pleural effusion, ECOG improvement from 2 to 0, and no treatment-related adverse events.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Helen's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Helen, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; pelvis

No active tumors / no evidence of disease after liver-directed treatment, liver surgery/ablation, colon resection, and hysterectomy, though she personally described herself as living with cancer and still planned cleanup treatment.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV squamous NSCLC: durable pembrolizumab response followed by invasive aspergillosis, marrow failure, and death

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

Biomarkers: PD-L1 20%

Metastatic Site: bilateral lungs

After durable partial response to pembrolizumab-based therapy, he developed severe pulmonary infection, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, progressive AA-like bone marrow failure with severe cytopenias, declined further treatment, and died at home in early 2025.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Elissa's Patient Story

Patient Info: Elissa Kalver, Female | Stage IV

As of April 2026, Elissa was described as a metastatic breast cancer thriver and founder of We Got This, with the episode focused on parenting, support needs, and practical help during life with metastatic breast cancer.

Stage IV HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Joelle's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: HR-positive / hormone-positive

Metastatic Site: Bone/hip; lymph nodes; other sites not specified

Living with Stage IV hormone-positive breast cancer on ongoing systemic therapy and monitoring, with tumor-marker checks every 3 months and scans every 6 months; no remission or NED status is stated.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV squamous lung cancer with steroid-refractory immune-related gastritis after pembrolizumab

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

Biomarkers: Gastric biopsy during immune gastritis showed CD8-positive lymphocyte inflammation, no cancer

After about 2 years of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab, lung cancer treatment was stopped because of tumor growth; the later immune-related gastritis improved after escalation to infliximab, while the cancer course remained a setback/progression story.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV AFP-producing gastric cancer responds to chemotherapy and immunotherapy

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

Biomarkers: HER2-negative; pMMR; elevated AFP

Metastatic Site: liver|peritoneum

Imaging showed a sustained partial response, his AFP level returned to normal, and he continued maintenance serplulimab at the latest follow-up.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Erica's Patient Story

Patient Info: Erica, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Hormone-positive; HER2-negative

Metastatic Site: Bone — ribs, sternum, spine, femur/right hip, shoulder…

Living with stable Stage IV hormone-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer involving multiple bones, currently managed with monthly hormone-suppressant injections and monitoring.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV Melanoma: Ken's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Ken Herich, Male, 60s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Abdomen; shinbone/bone; near lungs

After Stage IV melanoma progressed on prior immunotherapies, TIL therapy produced a complete response; as of April 2026, scans showed no evidence of disease and no sign of melanoma returning nearly 1 year after treatment.

City of HopeRead more →

Stage IV lung cancer response followed by immune-related lung inflammation

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

Biomarkers: EGFR-negative; ALK-negative; ROS1-negative

Metastatic Site: pleura

After the lung inflammation improved, he did not resume tumor-directed chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation and remained generally well.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV EGFR Lung Cancer: Kelsey's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation; later ALK mutation after progression

Metastatic Site: Bone — pelvis and spine/L5

Living with Stage IV lung cancer on a clinical trial after progression, with current treatment described as working and quality of life improved.

The Patient StoryRead more →

My STAGE 4 Colon Cancer was Revealed by a Routine Blood Test! (NO SYMPTOMS!)

Patient Info: Jim, Male, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

Stage IV colon cancer with liver and lung metastases responded strongly to FOLFIRINOX-based chemotherapy, with tumor reduction over 70%, no detectable lung cancer on testing, and ongoing maintenance chemotherapy for remaining liver disease.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer complicated by severe low magnesium

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

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: bone|lungs|liver|brain

She died during a hospitalization for advanced metastatic breast cancer and severe treatment-related hypomagnesemia, with her final care focused on comfort.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Kalei's Patient Story

Patient Info: Kalei, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Lungs

Living with Stage IV rectal cancer after lung metastases were treated surgically; later imaging raised concern for possible recurrence in the lung and rectal area, but lymph-node biopsy was clear and further workup was ongoing.

The Patient StoryRead more →

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

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

Biomarkers: ALK-positive

Metastatic Site: Spine; chest lymph nodes; stomach lymph nodes

Stage IV ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer responded dramatically to daily targeted therapy, with latest scans described as no evidence of disease while she continues long-term targeted therapy.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Lauren's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lauren Huffmaster, Female | Stage IV

As of March 2026, Lauren Huffmaster had been living with metastatic breast cancer since 2015 and had founded Adventure Therapy Foundation, using story work and support programs to help others with cancer.