Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Ben's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Ben Simcox, Male, Under 40 | Stage III

As of September 2020, Ben was cancer-free for almost 3 years after treatment for rectal cancer with 3 positive lymph nodes, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and 6 additional months of chemotherapy.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Treatment-Related Inflammation Mimicked Metastatic Colon Cancer Recurrence

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

Biomarkers: KRAS mutation

Metastatic Site: liver|peritoneum

Biopsy showed that new lymph-node, liver, and spleen findings were a treatment-related sarcoid-like reaction rather than recurrence, and 18 months of surveillance found no evidence of cancer.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Rectal Cancer Recurrence at a Colostomy Site

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Metastatic Site: abdominal wall|peritoneum

She was alive 6 months after palliative radiotherapy for recurrent disease at the colostomy and abdominal wall.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Colon Cancer Metastasis Found Inside a Thyroid Nodule

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 50s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Biomarkers: KRAS mutated; thyroid metastasis CDX2 positive and CK20 positive; PAX8/TG/TTF-1 negative

Metastatic Site: lungs|thyroid

Follow-up was planned after thyroid surgery, with no adjuvant treatment for the coexisting low-risk thyroid lesion.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Scott's Patient Story

Patient Info: Scott Sterling, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver

After nearly 2 years of treatment for Stage IV colorectal cancer, Scott was able to have his primary tumor removed in August 2020 and was recovering while the metastatic disease continued to be managed.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Allison's Survivor Story

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

As of August 2020, Allison reported no evidence of disease on follow-up scans while continuing survivorship care after rectal-cancer treatment.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Rectosigmoid cancer first discovered through bone marrow spread

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

Metastatic Site: bone marrow|ovaries|bone

She died from overwhelming sepsis 1 week after the diagnosis of metastatic rectosigmoid cancer.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Brooks's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Brooks Bell, Female | Stage III

As of July 2020, Brooks had no cancer found during follow-up colonoscopy, though new polyps were removed or biopsied and repeat colonoscopy was recommended in 1 year because polyps appeared to return quickly.

Colorectal Cancer AllianceRead more →

Lynch syndrome-related colon cancer diagnosed at age 16

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

Biomarkers: Loss of MSH2 and MSH6 expression; pathogenic de novo germline MSH2 c.1786_1788delAAT; Lynch syndrome

Colonoscopic surveillance and abdominal imaging remained negative for recurrence through 48 months; recurrent narrowing at the anastomosis required balloon dilation, and she was otherwise doing well and attending college.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage III rectal adenocarcinoma with concurrent intermediate-risk prostate cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 60s

Biomarkers: Rectal cancer CEA was not elevated. Prostate cancer PSA was high before treatment and low after radiation.

The rectal tumor achieved pathologic complete response with no residual tumor and 0 of 13 lymph nodes involved. Surveillance CT at 10 months showed no local recurrence or distant metastasis, and PSA remained low 1 year after operation.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Cancer Survivor Story: Colon Cancer (Lynch Syndrome)

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

Biomarkers: Lynch syndrome; MSI-high / dMMR

As of May 2020, Shannon was considered cancer-free after surgery-only treatment for Stage IIA MSI-high/Lynch-associated colon cancer and remained on strict Lynch syndrome surveillance.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Colon Cancer Stories: Barbara Majeski

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

As of May 2020, Barbara was approaching the 5-year mark after Stage III colon cancer, with blood tests every 6 months and annual scans reported as good/clear.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Howard's Patient Story

Patient Info: Howard Brown, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: peritoneum|liver

Howard was living with metastatic colon cancer and undergoing CT scans every 90 days, with further treatment depending on whether scans showed recurrence or progression.

A benign liver granuloma mimicked rectal-cancer recurrence after chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 40s

Rectal resection showed a pathologic complete response, and the enlarging liver lesion was repeatedly confirmed as non-malignant granulomatous inflammation rather than metastatic recurrence.

PubMed CentralRead more →

An unusual paratesticular metastasis from colon cancer

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

Biomarkers: CK20-positive; CDX2-positive; CK7-negative.

Metastatic Site: lungs; right paratesticular soft tissue

He recovered well after removal of the paratesticular metastasis and continued treatment for metastatic colon cancer with his oncology team.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage I Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Jana's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jana | Stage I

Jana was declared cancer-free in August 2020 after surgery for Stage I colon cancer.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Colorectal Cancer: Aloysius's Patient Story

Patient Info: Aloysius | Stage I

He is receiving chemotherapy after partial colectomy for Stage I colorectal cancer and remains hopeful about recovery.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Colorectal Cancer: Andy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Andy | Stage I

Andy describes reaching remission after treatment and continues regular colon screening because of concern about recurrence.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Mary's Patient Story

Patient Info: Mary

Within 12 months of the initial treatment course, further tumors were found during follow-up, including one in the liver.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage II Colorectal Cancer: Clement's Patient Story

Patient Info: Clement | Stage II

Clement continues to live with colorectal cancer after chemotherapy was stopped because of severe side effects, while focusing on his health and family.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Lina's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lina | Stage IV

Lina was living with Stage IV colorectal cancer 2–3 years after diagnosis after stopping chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage II Colorectal Cancer: Lina's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Lina | Stage II

Some years after her Stage II colorectal cancer diagnosis, Lina said she was cancer-free.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I rectosigmoid cancer presenting as full-thickness rectal prolapse

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

He recovered without postoperative complications and was discharged five days after resection of the stage I rectosigmoid cancer.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage I colon cancer found during treatment planning for breast cancer

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

Biomarkers: MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2 expression preserved.

Two years after surgery, she remained well with no CT evidence of metastatic disease or recurrence while continuing six-monthly follow-up.

PubMed CentralRead more →