Stage 4 Lung Cancer: 435 Real Stories

435 stories match lung cancer and stage 4. 243 of them mention chemotherapy.

Keasha, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung CancerLung Cancer

Keasha Rutledge: Stage IV Lung Cancer

Patient Info: Keasha Rutledge, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Not reported

Keasha Rutledge was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer at age 37, married Chris Draft 11 months later, and passed away 1 month after their wedding.

The Patient Story
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Squamous Cell CarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IVA lung squamous cell carcinoma with immune-checkpoint-inhibitor-associated Graves thyroid storm

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Cancer biomarkers not reported. Thyroid storm workup had TSAb/TRAb positivity consistent with Graves disease.

Metastatic Site: not specified in extracted case text

After thyroid storm improved with antithyroid therapy and supportive care, the patient was transferred for further lung-cancer treatment but died of progressive lung cancer about 2 months later.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Nancee, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Nancee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Nancee Pronsati, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive; ALK fusion/rearrangement

Metastatic Site: bilateral lung nodules, brain

As of May 2026, Nancee had lived about 10 years with metastatic ALK-positive lung cancer, including brain progression, and continued long-term targeted therapy with quality of life as a major goal.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Jill, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

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

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

Biomarkers: Driver mutation identified; specific mutation not stated

Metastatic Site: pleura

As of May 2026, Jill had lived 17 years with NSCLC, later experienced pleural metastases/progression, and remained on biomarker-guided targeted therapy with chemotherapy added.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

EGFR-mutated lung cancer responds after acquired ROS1 resistance

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

Biomarkers: EGFR L858R mutation; acquired ROS1 rearrangement

Metastatic Site: pleura

She remained on osimertinib plus crizotinib with a sustained clinical and radiologic response for more than 18 months.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IV EGFR-mutated lung cancer responds after targeted therapy intolerance

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

Biomarkers: EGFR L858R mutation; PIK3CA E545K mutation; acquired ROS1 rearrangement

Metastatic Site: pleura|pericardium|bone|lungs

Chemotherapy produced a partial response that remained sustained for 7 months at the latest follow-up.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

EGFR-mutated Stage IV lung cancer with later brain progression

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion; acquired EGFR C797S mutation; acquired ROS1 rearrangement

Metastatic Site: brain|bone

She died about 20 months after diagnosis after brain progression and a severe postoperative stroke.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Jake, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Jake's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: ALK-positive mutation

Metastatic Site: brain; lung; ankle bone

As of May 2026, Jake was 28 and had lived more than 13 years with Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer, with ongoing treatment history including targeted therapy, surgeries, radiation, clinical-trial therapy, and recent chemotherapy.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Kartik, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Kartik's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: EML4/ALK mutation

Kartik was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK-rearranged lung cancer at age 28, continued working for several years through a targeted clinical trial, and died in 2015 at age 34.

GO2 Foundation
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IVA EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma: stable disease on first-line osimertinib

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion; baseline EGFR exon 20 T790M mutation; ALK IHC negative; PD-L1 TPS 30%; TTF-1-positive

Metastatic Site: pleura; malignant pleural-pericardial adhesions

As of April 2026, she had stable disease for more than 9 months on first-line osimertinib, with no progressive disease, no recurrent pleural effusion, ECOG improvement from 2 to 0, and no treatment-related adverse events.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV squamous NSCLC: durable pembrolizumab response followed by invasive aspergillosis, marrow failure, and death

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

Biomarkers: PD-L1 20%

Metastatic Site: bilateral lungs

After durable partial response to pembrolizumab-based therapy, he developed severe pulmonary infection, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, progressive AA-like bone marrow failure with severe cytopenias, declined further treatment, and died at home in early 2025.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Squamous Cell CarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IV squamous lung cancer with steroid-refractory immune-related gastritis after pembrolizumab

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

Biomarkers: Gastric biopsy during immune gastritis showed CD8-positive lymphocyte inflammation, no cancer

After about 2 years of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab, lung cancer treatment was stopped because of tumor growth; the later immune-related gastritis improved after escalation to infliximab, while the cancer course remained a setback/progression story.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSetback / Progression
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Squamous Cell CarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IV lung cancer response followed by immune-related lung inflammation

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

Biomarkers: EGFR-negative; ALK-negative; ROS1-negative

Metastatic Site: pleura

After the lung inflammation improved, he did not resume tumor-directed chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation and remained generally well.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Kelsey, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV EGFR Lung Cancer: Kelsey's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation; later ALK mutation after progression

Metastatic Site: Bone — pelvis and spine/L5

Living with Stage IV lung cancer on a clinical trial after progression, with current treatment described as working and quality of life improved.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
Megan, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Megan's Survivor Story

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

Biomarkers: ALK-positive

Metastatic Site: Spine; chest lymph nodes; stomach lymph nodes

Stage IV ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer responded dramatically to daily targeted therapy, with latest scans described as no evidence of disease while she continues long-term targeted therapy.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Natalie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

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

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

Metastatic Site: Spine

Natalie was living with Stage IV NSCLC after a double lung transplant gave her new lung function, but cancer later appeared in the spine and required renewed chemotherapy and radiation.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Maggie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

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

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

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation; MET amplification resistance mutation; MET overexpression

Metastatic Site: Brain

Maggie initially reached no evidence of disease on EGFR-targeted therapy, but later had repeated progression, including MET-amplification resistance and MET overexpression, requiring SBRT, a clinical trial, chemotherapy, and later-line targeted treatment.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Clara, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

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

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

Biomarkers: ALK-positive / ALK-rearranged after repeat Tempus testing

Metastatic Site: Pelvis; spleen

As of February 2026, ALK-targeted therapy had improved Clara’s symptoms enough that she no longer needed a walker or cane, and upcoming scans would determine whether pelvic tumor surgery remained an option.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IVB lung adenocarcinoma with severe immune-related complications

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

Biomarkers: PD-L1 TPS 20%; BRAF mutation

Metastatic Site: left supraclavicular fossa, left axilla, right hilum,…

The patient had an initial partial response to ipilimumab/nivolumab but developed severe immune-related pneumonitis, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia. Cytopenias recovered with eltrombopag, but lung cancer later relapsed with carcinomatous meningitis, and he died 20 months after diagnosis.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Phil, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IV ROS1 Lung Cancer: Phil's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: ROS1 mutation

Metastatic Site: Lymph nodes; other lung

Phil was living with incurable Stage IV ROS1-positive lung cancer. After initial chemotherapy, a ROS1-targeted pill worked for about 2 years, and he later continued on a Mass General clinical-trial treatment with follow-up every 3 months.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer