Colorectal Cancer: Bridget's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Bridget

Bridget was declared cancer-free in 2025.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Amanda's Patient Story

Patient Info: Amanda, Female, Under 40

As of December 2023, Amanda had a new sigmoid colon cancer diagnosis and was awaiting staging and definitive treatment planning with surgery and possible chemotherapy depending on spread.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer With Leucovorin Hypersensitivity During Cetuximab-FOLFOX Treatment

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

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation detected; no KRAS, NRAS or BRAF mutations detected

Metastatic Site: lung

After 18 cycles of cetuximab plus FOLFOX, her metastatic colorectal cancer was stable and treatment continued with modifications for leucovorin hypersensitivity.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Jeff's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jeff Williams, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

As of December 2023, Jeff was living with recurrent Stage IV colorectal cancer, had recently developed more lung tumors, continued chemotherapy locally every 2 weeks, and returned to UT MD Anderson every 3 months for scans.

MD AndersonRead more →

Colon cancer surgery complication: fistula after extensive pelvic surgery and radiation

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: upper vaginal wall; lungs

She remained alive after treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer and recovered without clinical fistula recurrence at 1- and 2-month postoperative follow-up.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Dania's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: Not reported; pathology supported Keytruda eligibility

Metastatic Site: Liver; peritoneum

As of December 2023, Dania had Stage IV colon cancer but described an excellent response to Keytruda, successful colon/hernia surgery, and successful liver surgery while still healing and continuing follow-up.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Allison's Patient Story

Patient Info: Allison Rosen, Female, Under 40

Allison describes herself as a colorectal cancer survivor and has returned to travel, physical activity, and patient advocacy after her surgeries.

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Stephanie's Survivor Story

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

As of November 2023, Stephanie reported that her oncologist said her cancer was in remission after surgery and chemotherapy, with CT/lab follow-up and a PET scan for reassurance.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Rare anorectal melanoma that spread to the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver; lungs; lymph nodes

Five months after completing treatment, he presented with severe respiratory distress and died 4 days later.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Hidden bowel cancer first discovered through a rare nerve disorder (Morvan syndrome)

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

The tumour was completely resected with no nodal involvement, and no further cancer treatment was required; neurological recovery was partial.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV BRAF Colorectal Cancer: Loralee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Loralee Lovell, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRAF mutation; microsatellite stable

Metastatic Site: liver|lungs|lymph nodes|peritoneal lining

Loralee continued treatment for metastatic colon cancer for several years and died on May 26, 2026.

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Barbara's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Barbara, Female, 40s | Stage III

As of November 2023, Barbara described herself as a colon cancer survivor in year 4 after surgery and chemotherapy, continuing surveillance scans and living with scan anxiety and lasting treatment effects.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jessica's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jessica Bishop | Stage III

Jessica was receiving chemotherapy for Stage III colorectal cancer and had completed 2 of 4 planned rounds.

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

Stage II MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Shannon's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Shannon, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: MSI-H; Lynch syndrome; MLH1 mutation

As of October 2023, Shannon had no recurrence described while approaching year 5 after Stage IIA colon cancer surgery and continued intensive Lynch syndrome surveillance.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Julie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Julie Flower, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs; lymph nodes; bones

As of September 2023, Julie had longstanding Stage IV colorectal cancer but a strong clinical-trial response after about 2.5 years on trial, with possible first no-evidence-of-disease assessment expected soon but not confirmed in this record.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage III MSI-High Colorectal Cancer: Kelly's Survivor Story

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

Biomarkers: dMMR; MSI-H

As of September 2023, Kelly remained in remission after 9 dostarlimab immunotherapy infusions for Stage III dMMR/MSI-H rectal cancer, avoiding the expected chemo/radiation/surgery pathway.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Amanda's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Amanda Peters, Female, 40s | Stage III

Biomarkers: No genetic markers reported

As of September 2023, Amanda reported no recurrence about 3 years after Stage IIIB rectal cancer surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, with surveillance CT scans now yearly.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Krystal Gurnell

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Keith's Patient Story

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

Metastatic Site: Liver; lymph nodes; lungs

As of September 2023, Keith was on third-line treatment for Stage IV colon cancer with lung metastases, small lung lesions under 1 cm, a low tumor marker after 2 rounds, and possible trial/transplant options after standard care.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Hidden colon cancer first discovered through a rare brain/nerve inflammation

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage II

At 1 year he was asymptomatic and off treatment, with no neurological deficits and a normal repeat PET scan.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Cancer Researcher Becomes Cancer Survivor

Patient Info: J. Mark Brown, Male | Stage III

Ten years after his Stage III colorectal cancer diagnosis, Mark described the treatment as having cured his cancer; he had completed 6 years of periodic oncology follow-up and was living actively with an ileostomy.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Stage IV HER2-Positive Colorectal Cancer: Brian's Patient Story

Patient Info: Brian Beck, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: liver

Brian was receiving tucatinib plus trastuzumab on a clinical trial and was working full time 4.5 years after his Stage IV diagnosis.

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Danielle's Patient Story

Patient Info: Danielle Archer, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: No genetic markers reported

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

As of August 2023, Danielle was living with Stage IV metastatic colon cancer involving liver and lung lesions that were stable on ongoing treatment and 3-month surveillance scans.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Rectal Cancer Treated With Radiation, FOLFOX and Surgery in a Woman With a Separate Breast Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 60s

Surgery showed only minimal residual rectal adenocarcinoma with clear margins, and later follow-up described both of her cancers as appearing in remission.

PubMed CentralRead more →