Stage II Breast Cancer: Catherine's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Catherine, Female, 50s | Stage II

As of 2020, Catherine had completed lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for Stage II breast cancer and was in remission, while managing fatigue, hair loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

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N

Patient Info: N | Stage I

Biomarkers: No inherited BRCA variant identified.

N completed lumpectomy and radiation and continued hormone therapy while adjusting to life after treatment.

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Stage IIIA breast cancer treated alongside a synchronous colon cancer

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

Two years after surgery, she remained well with no CT evidence of metastasis or recurrence while continuing endocrine therapy and six-monthly follow-up.

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Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Vanessa's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Vanessa Sanders, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of November 2019, Vanessa had shown no evidence of disease for 15 years after clinical-trial chemotherapy, breast-conserving surgery and 6 weeks of radiation for Stage III invasive ductal breast cancer.

MD AndersonRead more →

Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Suzanne's Patient Story

Patient Info: Suzanne Kulliver, Female | Stage I

Suzanne completed breast cancer treatment in June 2016 and reported feeling great, exercising regularly, and returning to her busy routine.

Breast Cancer Recurrence in the Parotid Gland Eight Years Later

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

Biomarkers: Primary breast tumor: ER-positive and HER2-positive. Parotid metastasis: ER-positive, PR-negative, and HER2-positive.

Metastatic Site: left parotid gland

The isolated parotid metastasis was completely resected, one-month PET-CT showed no significant abnormality, and endocrine therapy continued with exemestane.

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Metastatic Breast Cancer Presenting With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension

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

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive.

Metastatic Site: bone; bone marrow

At seven months, she was doing well with a marked response on PET imaging, normalized right-heart pressures, and ongoing systemic treatment with palbociclib.

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Nocardia Infection Mimicked Breast Cancer Lung Metastases

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

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-positive.

The lung nodules resolved with antibiotics and proved infectious rather than metastatic; she remained in good health at the last follow-up in January 2019.

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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.

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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.

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Sweet Syndrome During Radiation for In Situ Breast Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s

The fever, fatigue, and skin lesions resolved with corticosteroids, and she completed the final radiation session without another flare.

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Breast Cancer Arising in Ectopic Tissue in the Armpit

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: ER positive; PR positive; HER2 negative

A 43-year-old woman’s presumed axillary cyst proved to be hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer arising in ectopic breast tissue.

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Breast Cancer: Diana's Patient Story

Patient Info: Diana Stork, female

After radiation, Diana needed checkups only every few months and remained active in yoga, Pilates, exercise, and other movement classes.

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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.

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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.

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Stage II HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Cath's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Cath, Female, 60s | Stage II

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2-negative

Cath was declared cancer-free in June 2024 after Stage II luminal A ER-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer treated with surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy, though she continued to manage long-term side effects and recurrence fear.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Eliza's Patient Story

Patient Info: Eliza | Stage II

Eliza continued to live with fear of recurrence after lumpectomy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy caused fatigue, inflamed skin, and joint and bone pain.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Breast Cancer: Joyce's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Joyce McCain, Female, 60s

As of December 2018, Joyce had recovered after lumpectomy, heart-sparing breast radiation and surgical removal of an incidental kidney cancer, and had returned to work, golf and regular activities.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

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.

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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.

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Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Julie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Julie Martin, Female | Stage I

Julie completed surgery and a five-day proton-radiation course for stage I breast cancer and continued annual mammographic surveillance.

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