Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: 738 Real Stories

738 stories match breast cancer and chemotherapy. 653 of them mention surgery.

Margaret, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II Breast Cancer: Margaret's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Margaret, Female | Stage II

Biomarkers: Genetic testing negative; specific inherited gene not named

As of June 2019, Margaret was in remission after treatment for Stage II breast cancer with double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Margaret, who was diagnosed with Stage II Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer Survivor Story: Chemo, Double Mastectomy, Radiation, Reconstruction

Patient Info: Margaret, Female | Stage II

Biomarkers: Oncotype DX score reported around 16-18; genetic testing negative; specific inherited gene not named

As of June 2019, Margaret was in remission after Stage II IDC treated with double mastectomy, AC/Taxol chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Jane, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Jane's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jane Dennington, Female, 60s

Biomarkers: HER2-positive breast cancer

As of January 2019, Jane was cancer-free for almost 5 years after HER2-positive breast cancer treatment with chemotherapy, Herceptin, surgery and Kadcyla through the KATHERINE clinical trial.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Magnolia, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Magnolia's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Magnolia | Stage IV

Magnolia was declared cancer-free in March 2022 and described herself as remaining in remission while continuing hormone therapy.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Kelly, who was diagnosed with Stage 0 Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage 0 Breast Cancer: Kelly's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kelly, Female, Under 40 | Stage 0

Kelly was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer in 2019, received lumpectomy and chemotherapy, recovered for several years, and later described optimism, gratitude, and a focus on lowering recurrence risk.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Kathryn, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage III Breast Cancer: Kathryn's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kathryn | Stage III

After completing treatment, Kathryn said she had successfully beaten the cancer and was focused on enjoying life and making memories with loved ones.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Emma, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II Breast Cancer: Emma's Patient Story

Patient Info: Emma, Female, 40s | Stage II

As of 2019, Emma had completed active treatment for Stage II breast cancer after mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, and she remained on hormone therapy.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Lena, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II Breast Cancer: Lena's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lena | Stage II

Lena had completed lumpectomy and chemotherapy and was focused on regaining her health, staying close to her family, and managing fear of dying from cancer.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeNot reported
Aura, who was diagnosed with Stage I Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage I Breast Cancer: Aura's Patient Story

Patient Info: Aura, Female, 40s | Stage I

Aura completed mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, hysterectomy, and chemotherapy for Stage I breast cancer and remained on hormone therapy, with ongoing concerns but no documented recurrence or progression.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Ana, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Ana's Stage 2 Breast Cancer Treatment and Recovery Story

Patient Info: Ana, Female, 40s | Stage II

Years after diagnosis, Ana had completed chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation and reconstruction and was continuing hormone therapy with anastrozole. She described herself as optimistic and grateful.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCare Ongoing / Survivorship
Mary, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage III Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Mary's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Mary, Female | Stage III

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative., triple negative

Mary completed treatment, was declared cancer-free in February 2025, and was in remission without ongoing medication.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Carole, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage III Breast Cancer: Carole's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Carole, Female, 60s | Stage III

Carole was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 2019 and was declared cancer-free at the end of 2023 after a treatment plan involving surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy.

Our Cancer Stories
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Splenectomy Reduced Transfusion Needs in Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Biomarkers: ER positive; PR positive; HER2 negative

Metastatic Site: skin|bone|bone marrow|spleen

She remained independent through her last oncology visit 18 months after splenectomy and died 1 month later.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer Treatment During Pregnancy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40

She completed chemotherapy during pregnancy and delivered a healthy daughter at 36 weeks. Radiotherapy remained ahead at the latest follow-up.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
SI
Breast Cancer

Stage II HER2-Positive Breast Cancer With Anti-Yo Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration

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

Biomarkers: HER2 positive

Her severe anti-Yo paraneoplastic cerebellar syndrome did not meaningfully respond to IVIG or cancer treatment. She became wheelchair-dependent and ultimately required long-term care, with only moderate improvement in ataxia after rehabilitation.

PubMed Central
OutcomeNot reported
A patient, who was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Metastatic Breast Cancer Causing Severe Shoulder and Arm Pain

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Metastatic Site: bone

Progressive nodal disease caused disabling brachial-plexus pain. She died about 3 months after placement of the intrathecal pain catheter.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Jennifer, who was diagnosed with Stage I Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage I Breast Cancer: Jennifer's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jennifer Buckland, Female, 40s | Stage I

As of November 2018, Jennifer was cancer-free after Stage I breast cancer treatment that included 12 weekly taxane chemotherapy treatments and cooling-cap support that helped prevent hair loss.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Breast AdenocarcinomaBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer Recurring 18 Years After Mastectomy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+ | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Metastatic Site: sternum|lungs|pleura|chest wall

She died during respiratory decline caused by both metastatic breast cancer in the lungs and a separate primary lung cancer.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Lobular Breast Cancer Spreading to an Eye Muscle

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive; HER2-negative; E-cadherin-negative; CK7-positive

Metastatic Site: bones|left superior oblique eye muscle

The eye-muscle metastasis entered complete local remission, while bone disease was stable after 6 months of weekly paclitaxel and denosumab.

PubMed Central
OutcomeStable Disease
Deidre, who was diagnosed with Stage I Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage I Breast Cancer: Deidre's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Deidre Smith, Female, 40s | Stage I

As of August 2018, Deidre had completed Stage I breast cancer treatment with bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction and described survivorship with a changed outlook and strong family support.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeSurvivorship / Surveillance
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Breast cancer recurrence involving the bladder and bones

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial breast cancer: ER-positive, PR-positive, HER2-negative. Bladder metastasis: ER-positive, PR-negative, HER2 1+.

Metastatic Site: bladder, bone, rectosigmoid region, anorectal region

She died in October 2016 from pulmonary haemorrhage, 47 months after metastatic disease was diagnosed.

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

Breast cancer spreading to the colon, rectum and peritoneal surfaces

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

Biomarkers: Primary tumor: ER >80% positive; PR 50–60% positive; HER2 negative; E-cadherin positive. Later colorectal metastases: ER positive; PR negative; HER2 negative; CK7 positive; CK20 negative; CDX2 negative.

Metastatic Site: colon, rectum, peritoneum, diaphragm, liver, bowel,…

Metastatic breast cancer was subsequently confirmed in the colon and rectum, with later laparoscopic biopsies showing peritoneal and additional intra-abdominal metastatic disease.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSetback / Progression