Colorectal Cancer: Jay's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jay Reese, Under 40

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome

After a full colectomy in February 2012, Jay did not need further surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy and continued close surveillance because of Lynch syndrome.

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Lynch Syndrome Center Helps Family Stay Vigilant — and Grow

Patient Info: Anonymized

He died from colon cancer in his mid-40s.

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Stage IV Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Elizabeth's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Elizabeth Wachsberg, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver

As of July 2024, Elizabeth was 5 years cancer-free after Stage IV colon cancer with liver metastases, chemotherapy, and surgery.

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Sigmoid colon cancer with attenuated adenomatous polyposis and an uncertain MSH6 variant

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 50s

Biomarkers: Germline MSH6 variant c.3163G>A

A 50-year-old woman with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma and about 25 colonic polyps underwent total colectomy and was found to carry an uncertain germline MSH6 variant.

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Colon cancer that later spread to the testis and liver

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

Metastatic Site: right testis, liver

Liver metastasis was found 6 months after orchiectomy. Telephone follow-up confirmed that he survived for more than 18 months after the testicular surgery.

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Colorectal Cancer: Laura's Patient Story

Patient Info: Laura Shook

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Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Steve's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Steve Slack, Male, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver

As of June 2024, about 6 months after living-donor liver transplant, Steve had a clear surveillance scan and described himself as NED/no evidence of disease.

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Stage IV BRAF Colorectal Cancer: Sophie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sophie, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRAF-mutated; MSI / microsatellite instability

Metastatic Site: liver; lymph nodes including neck

As of June 2024, Sophie had been off treatment for nearly 3 years and described herself as currently cancer-free after surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and liver surgery showing no cancer cells.

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Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Amy's Patient Story

Patient Info: Amy Nicole, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver; lymph nodes near kidneys/retroperitoneal lymph…

As of June 2024, Amy was living with recurrent Stage IV colon cancer and was on an immunotherapy clinical trial that improved quality of life compared with chemotherapy, though she did not describe remission or NED.

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Rectal Cancer Relapse With a Rare Kidney Metastasis

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

Metastatic Site: liver; peritoneum; right kidney

After earlier treatment and a hepatectomy, imaging showed recurrent rectal disease with pelvic and peritoneal involvement and a new right kidney metastasis.

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Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Jessica's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jessica Dazzler, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: FoundationOne testing performed; exact mutation not stated

Metastatic Site: lungs, spine, rib

As of May 2024, Jessica said it took 3 years and 4 months to reach no evidence of disease after Stage IV colorectal cancer, though she remained anxious about future scans and possible circulating cancer.

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Colorectal Cancer: Savannah's Patient Story

Patient Info: Savannah Kaspar, Female

Savannah described herself as a colorectal-cancer survivor and continued working at MD Anderson with a stronger personal connection to its cancer mission.

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Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Andrea's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Andrea, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of May 2024, Andrea had completed radiation with continuous 5-FU, 8 intensive chemotherapy infusions, tumor surgery with temporary ileostomy, and ileostomy reversal; a liver-lesion scare was a false alarm and she was cancer-free.

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Stage III colorectal cancer: remission after treatment

Patient Info: Andrea, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of May 2024, Andrea described being in remission since June 2022, with no cancer seen on follow-up scans and tumor DNA tests remaining negative during close 3-month surveillance.

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Kristie Reimann

Patient Info: Kristie Reimann, 40s | Stage IV

Nine years after a Stage IV diagnosis, Kristie remained on treatment every 2 to 3 weeks and described continuing to live an active life with an ostomy.

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Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Kyle's Patient Story

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

Metastatic Site: Liver

As of May 2024, Kyle was actively receiving chemotherapy for Stage IV sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis and was awaiting reassessment for possible surgery after 5 planned chemotherapy cycles.

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Rectal cancer with an isolated vaginal metastasis treated with repeat surgery

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

Metastatic Site: vagina

After resection of an isolated vaginal metastasis, she was receiving ongoing adjuvant chemotherapy with good tolerance.

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Stage III Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Michael's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Michael Holtz, Male, 40s | Stage III

Michael reported that capecitabine with radiation, surgery, and FOLFOX worked for him; current surveillance findings and recurrence status were not provided.

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Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Zykeisha's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Zykeisha Law, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lung

As of April 2024, Zykeisha was back in remission after Stage IV colorectal cancer, recurrence involving lung and liver, additional chemotherapy, and multiple major surgeries; her last treatment was in April 2021.

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Elsa Lankford

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

Biomarkers: Biomarker testing completed; results not reported

She remained in treatment for Stage IV colon cancer and had entered immunotherapy trial NCT05572684; reported side effects included skin rashes and increased anxiety.

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Stage II Colorectal Cancer: Savannah's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Savannah Kaspar, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome genetic testing negative

As of March 2024, Savannah had completed partial colectomy and 4 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage II sigmoid colon cancer and had entered surveillance with bloodwork every 3 months.

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Stage II Colorectal Cancer: John's Survivor Story

Patient Info: John, Male, Under 40 | Stage II

As of March 2024, John had a complete response to chemotherapy and radiation for Stage II rectal cancer, with the tumor completely gone, no signs of cancer remaining, no surgery needed, and ongoing watch-and-wait monitoring.

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MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Stephanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Stephanie Dobson, Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: MSI-high; Lynch syndrome

The rectal tumor was shrinking on immunotherapy and early treatment-related fatigue was improving.

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How I KNEW I Had COLON CANCER

Patient Info: Courtney, Female | Stage III

As of March 2024, Courtney was nearly 3 years in remission after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage IIIA colorectal cancer, with follow-up every 6 months.

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