A young man with metastatic rectal cancer and inherited BRCA1 and MLH1 mutations

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

Biomarkers: Germline BRCA1 c.4065_4068delTCAA and MLH1 c.232G>T mutations; tumor microsatellite instability-high; loss of MLH1 and PMS2 expression; elevated tumor mutational burden; loss of heterozygosity of wild-type MLH1.

Metastatic Site: liver

The rectal and liver tumors showed a partial response, no viable carcinoma was found in the resected liver lesions, and maintenance nivolumab continued without evidence of growth or recurrence.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Almudena's Survivor Story

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

Metastatic Site: Peritoneum

As of May 2022, Almudena was cancer-free after surgery and 12 chemotherapy sessions, had been medically cleared as cured after 6 years, and continued genetics follow-up because her case was unusual for her age.

Colorectal Cancer: Alejandro's Patient Story

Patient Info: Alejandro Mirazo, Male

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome

Alejandro recovered quickly from colon surgery and had started a planned 4-cycle course of chemotherapy by May 2022, with ongoing surveillance for recurrence and other Lynch syndrome-associated cancers.

Stage IV KRAS Colorectal Cancer: Kris's Patient Story

Patient Info: Kris Sokolowski, Male, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: KRAS mutation

Metastatic Site: Liver; sternum; spine; lymph nodes; omentum/abdominal…

As of May 2022, Kris was living with Stage IV KRAS G13D-mutant colorectal cancer. Most tumors had been stable or shrinking, but abdominal/omental disease continued to grow despite additional full-strength chemotherapy, so clinical-trial and immunotherapy options were being explored.

MD AndersonRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Qin's Patient Story

Patient Info: Qin Yi, Female

Qin Yi recovered from intestinal cancer diagnosed in the 1960s, later survived multiple major illnesses, and died on May 9, 2022 at age 100.

Colon Cancer Returned in a Mesenteric Lymph Node 2 Years After Surgery

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

The recurrent disease was removed with negative margins in a curative-intent operation. At 8 months, his weight was stable and his energy was improving.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Rectal Cancer in His Late 20s Revealed Lynch Syndrome

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

Biomarkers: Rectal tumor lacked MSH2 and MSH6 expression; germline MSH2 c.2459-12A>G likely pathogenic splice variant identified by DNA and RNA testing

After the inherited MSH2 variant was confirmed, he entered intensive Lynch syndrome surveillance with annual colonoscopy. No additional cancers had been identified in the carriers at the latest family update.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Colon Cancer in Her 30s Led to a Lynch Syndrome Diagnosis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female

Biomarkers: Germline MSH2 c.2458+976A>G likely pathogenic deep intronic splice variant identified by concurrent DNA and RNA testing

Colon cancer and triple-negative breast cancer in a woman in her mid-30s prompted RNA testing that uncovered a deep intronic MSH2 Lynch syndrome variant.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Dan's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Dan Gut, Male, Under 40

As of March 2022, Dan had recovered quickly after minimally invasive total colectomy for extensive precancerous colon polyps and intramucosal carcinoma, did not need chemotherapy, and reported better energy while adapting diet and bowel habits.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Cindi's Survivor Story

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

Metastatic Site: Liver; abdominal lining/peritoneum

As of March 2022, Cindi had no recurrence more than 1 year after a clinical trial with nivolumab, investigational anti-tumor vaccine, chemotherapy, and surgery produced a complete pathologic response with no living cancer cells.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Francisco's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Francisco Goyoaga, Male, 50s

As of February 2022, Francisco had overcome colorectal cancer after chemotherapy and ostomy-related treatment and no longer needed the ostomy bag.

Colorectal Cancer: Xue's Patient Story

Patient Info: Xue Ming, Male, Under 40

As of the January 2022 story, Xue Ming had undergone chemoradiation, chemotherapy, and successful sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery, with a temporary ileostomy and good 3-month recovery while follow-up care continued.

Colorectal Cancer: Li's Patient Story

Patient Info: Li Zong

Li Zong remained on chemotherapy and targeted therapy while considering future hospice and palliative care.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage II Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Michael's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Michael | Stage II

Declared cancer-free in July 2024 after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Colon cancer at age 27 in a man later diagnosed with Lynch syndrome

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, Under 40

Biomarkers: Germline pathogenic MSH2 variant NM_000251.2:c.942+3A>T identified later

The first colon cancer remained disease-free after partial colectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy; years later, he died after decline from metastatic pheochromocytoma.

PubMed CentralRead more →

A second colon cancer leading to a Lynch syndrome diagnosis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 40s

Biomarkers: Complete loss of MSH2 and MSH6 nuclear staining in the cecal tumor; germline pathogenic MSH2 variant NM_000251.2:c.942+3A>T; Lynch syndrome.

The cecal cancer was treated with complete colectomy, while later presumed recurrences were ultimately identified as meningiomas and metastatic pheochromocytoma; he died after the pheochromocytoma progressed.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Elizabeth's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Elizabeth, Female | Stage III

After treatment for a local recurrence, Elizabeth was declared cancer-free in February 2025 and continues to cope with fear of recurrence and life with a permanent ostomy.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage II Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Gordon's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Gordon | Stage II

Gordon was declared cancer-free in September 2022 after surgery and chemotherapy.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

A R M

Patient Info: A R M | Stage III

They report that the colorectal cancer is in remission after surgery and chemotherapy.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Khoo's Patient Story

Patient Info: Khoo | Stage IV

Khoo remained on chemotherapy for Stage IV colorectal cancer and described becoming more optimistic over time.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Barbara's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Barbara, Female, 40s

As of October 2021, Barbara described life after completed colon-cancer treatment, including survivorship, parenting, and a stronger perspective; recurrence was not described in this edited video.

The Patient StoryRead more →

A Severe Delayed Immune Reaction After Treatment for Metastatic Colon Cancer

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

Metastatic Site: liver

He recovered from repeated episodes of severe cytokine release syndrome after prolonged corticosteroids, completed adjuvant FOLFOX and CV301 without nivolumab, and had no further CRS episodes.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Brandon's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Brandon Dale, Male, 50s | Stage III

As of April 2021, Brandon was cancer-free 3 years after Stage III rectal cancer treatment, living normally with a permanent colostomy.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Severe immune thrombocytopenia during treatment for metastatic colon cancer

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

Biomarkers: KRAS-mutated; microsatellite stable; BRAF-wild type.

Metastatic Site: bilateral ovaries; pelvis; peritoneum; mesenteric…

After multiple metastatic recurrences and treatment changes, she died from progressive colon cancer; oxaliplatin had been permanently stopped after antibody-confirmed immune thrombocytopenia.

PubMed CentralRead more →