Stage I Breast Cancer: Audrey's Patient Story

Patient Info: Audrey, Female, 60s | Stage I

Audrey completed quadrantectomy and radiation therapy for Stage I breast cancer and remained on hormone therapy, with lymphatic drainage and physical therapy for lymphedema and pain-related effects.

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Breast Cancer: Laura's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Laura

Laura said everything was free of malignant cells and was rebuilding her life and career 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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Breast Cancer: Alexandria's Patient Story

Patient Info: Alexandria, Female, Under 40

As of December 2019, Alexandria was receiving chemotherapy after single mastectomy and fertility preservation; no final outcome, stage, or biomarker status was stated.

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Stage IV Breast Cancer: Natalia's Patient Story

Patient Info: Natalia Padron, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: No hereditary breast-cancer mutation identified

Metastatic Site: pelvic organs; ovaries

As of November 2019, Natalia was living about 5 years after a terminal metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, using daily treatment/medications to help control the cancer and advocating for the metastatic breast cancer community.

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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.

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Breast Cancer Recurrence in the Liver Mimicking Cirrhosis

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

Biomarkers: Original cancer: HER2-negative and PR-positive. Liver recurrence: ER-positive.

Metastatic Site: liver

The breast cancer recurred in the liver after 14 years, produced pseudocirrhosis and portal-hypertension complications, and she died from hepatorenal syndrome five weeks after presentation.

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Stage IV Breast Cancer: Janet's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Janet Klein, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Bone: left iliac bone

Janet’s Stage 1 breast cancer later recurred and metastasized to the left iliac bone, but she had no sign of cancer from January 2010 onward while continuing palbociclib plus letrozole.

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.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Mariann's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Mariann Lotenero, Female, 60s

Biomarkers: Triple-negative breast cancer

As of October 2019, Mariann reported she no longer had cancer after prior triple-negative breast cancer treatment and had improved sensation and body comfort about 2 years after DIEP reconstruction with nerve reconnection.

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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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Unexpected Miscarriage During Tamoxifen Treatment for Breast Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s

Four years after mastectomy, she remained on tamoxifen and recent imaging of the opposite breast was normal.

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Morphea After Breast Reconstruction Mimicked Cellulitis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s

Her postoperative skin plaques were considered morphea rather than infection, and conservative management was chosen because similar episodes had resolved spontaneously.

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Breast Cancer: Brittney's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Brittney Rinella, Female, Under 40

As of August 2019, Brittney was cancer-free 4 years after breast cancer treatment with double mastectomy and 4 chemotherapy rounds plus goserelin injections to help preserve ovarian function; she later gave birth to her son.

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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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Breast Cancer: Marilyn's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Marilyn Alejandro-Rodriguez, Female

Marilyn was described as cancer-free after double mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

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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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Occult Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in an 82-Year-Old Man

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+

Biomarkers: ER negative; PR negative; HER2 negative; CK7 positive; GCDFP-15 negative; GATA-3 negative

An 82-year-old man had triple-negative breast cancer hidden in the breast but presenting as a large cancerous mass in the left axilla.

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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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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.

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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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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 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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