Multifocal stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma responding to nivolumab

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

Biomarkers: CK7-positive; TTF-1-positive; napsin-A-positive; PD-L1 85% positive.

The biopsied lung nodule nearly resolved after four nivolumab cycles, and the remaining pulmonary nodules were stable at 24 months.

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Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Tomma's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tomma Hargraves, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

After a later brain and lymph-node relapse was brought under control, Tomma had no further cancer treatment and remained active in survivorship advocacy. She died on September 7, 2023.

Tomma Hargraves: Choosing to Help Other Patients after Surviving Lung Cancer

Patient Info: Tomma Hargraves | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

After treatment and a later recurrence, Tomma went many years without further cancer treatment and became a patient navigator and advocate. She died on September 7, 2023.

Surgery for an isolated splenic metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma

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

Metastatic Site: spleen

Nine months after removal of the isolated splenic metastasis, follow-up showed no local or disseminated recurrence and she remained under regular lung-cancer surveillance.

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More than 10 years living with relapsing extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

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

Biomarkers: Chromogranin-positive.

Metastatic Site: pleura; pancreas; left kidney and perinephric region

After five treatment lines and several metastatic relapses over more than 10 years, his latest irinotecan and carboplatin course produced another partial response and he was doing well at the last follow-up.

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Late-onset mania revealed advanced small cell lung cancer

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

Biomarkers: ACTH-producing tumor with ACTH 776 pg/mL and morning cortisol 206.8 micrograms/dL.

Metastatic Site: right lung; liver

He died a few months after diagnosis from aspiration pneumonia and multiorgan failure in the setting of rapidly deteriorating stage IV small cell lung cancer.

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Winged scapula after surgery for right upper-lobe lung adenocarcinoma

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 60s

Six months of occupational therapy restored near-full shoulder movement, although mild scapular prominence and some permanent limitation remained.

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A reversible brain syndrome after chemotherapy for stage IIB lung cancer

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

Her seizure-related neurological findings resolved during hospitalization, and she was discharged without neurological symptoms after chemotherapy was stopped.

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Small cell lung cancer found through a disabling paraneoplastic neuropathy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s

Biomarkers: Anti-CRMP5 antibody-positive.

She completed chemotherapy and radiation and entered oncology follow-up, while the disabling sensory and motor neuropathy persisted and rehabilitation continued.

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Lung Cancer: Keith's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Keith Medovich, Male, 60s

As of January 2020, Keith was rid of lung cancer after 2003 chemotherapy and radiation, but required ongoing management of severe late radiation-related airway stenosis with a custom patient-specific stent.

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Stage IV EGFR-mutated lung cancer responding to osimertinib despite new lung opacities

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

Biomarkers: EGFR L858R mutation; EGFR T790M mutation

Metastatic Site: bilateral lungs

Over the following year on osimertinib, imaging showed an excellent tumour response with gradual improvement of the lung opacities and sustained clinical improvement.

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Osimertinib rechallenge after severe pneumonitis in Stage IV lung cancer

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion; acquired EGFR T790M mutation

Metastatic Site: pleura, liver, bone, leptomeninges

She initially regained a significant response after osimertinib rechallenge without recurrent pneumonitis, but developed progressive leptomeningeal disease after 11 months.

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Erlotinib-related uveitis during treatment for stage IV EGFR-mutated lung cancer

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

Biomarkers: EGFR L858R mutation-positive.

A partial response to erlotinib was maintained at six months, while the uveitis resolved and did not recur after treatment resumed at a lower dose.

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A uterine mass revealed a rare metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma

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

Biomarkers: CK7-positive; TTF-1-positive; CK20-negative; PAX8-negative; GATA3-negative.

Metastatic Site: uterus within a leiomyoma

Twelve months after removal of the uterine metastasis, she remained well with normal surveillance imaging and no concern for recurrent disease.

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Nivolumab-related adrenal failure during treatment for metastatic lung cancer

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

Metastatic Site: brain (left cerebellum)

Her confusion, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hyponatremia improved after glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement, and she was discharged on ongoing hormone replacement.

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Stage IV RET Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Sara's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sara Whitlock, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: RET fusion-positive NSCLC

Metastatic Site: Brain; abdomen; bowel

As of November 2019, Sara had Stage IV RET fusion-positive NSCLC with a long-term response and no signs of cancer while taking selpercatinib/LOXO-292 on a clinical trial, with ongoing monthly follow-up.

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Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Ginger's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ginger Tam, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

Ginger lived for more than 5 years with metastatic lung cancer while receiving multiple research-driven treatments. She died on February 10, 2018.

Lung Cancer: Joyce's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Joyce Chisar, Female, 50s

Joyce was doing well after lung surgery, returned to work and completed a 5K while continuing broader treatment for her two cancers.

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Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: James's Patient Story

Patient Info: James “Rocky” Lagno, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive

Metastatic Site: brain

After starting ceritinib through compassionate use, Rocky reported stable disease from the middle of 2013 with quality of life close to his pre-diagnosis level, while recognizing that he was not in remission or cancer-free.

Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Donna's Patient Story

Patient Info: Donna Fernandez, Female, 50s | Stage IV

While receiving nivolumab on a Phase III trial, Donna’s tumors remained present but stopped growing, and she was able to return to an active daily life.

Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Renee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Renee Shine, Female, 60s | Stage III

Renee’s tumor responded to pembrolizumab, and she remained on treatment through the clinical trial while describing herself as thriving.

Early-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Found During Severe Skin Disease

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+ | Stage I

The lung cancer was in remission at one-year follow-up after lobectomy, and the associated severe skin disease also remained absent during later follow-up.

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Lung Cancer Brain Metastases Initially Mistaken for Neurocysticercosis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

Neurologic disease progressed despite whole-brain radiation, and she died four months after the metastatic lung-cancer diagnosis.

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Lung Cancer Metastasis to the Iris Treated With Bevacizumab

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

Metastatic Site: right iris

The iris lesion and eye symptoms improved after bevacizumab, but he later died from systemic complications of metastatic lung cancer.

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