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

Patient Info: Abby Kanarek, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: PD-L1 90%

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of November 2021, Abby was in remission 2 years after only 4 Keytruda infusions, with the lung cancer eliminated and ongoing surveillance by a multidisciplinary City of Hope team.

City of HopeRead more →

Stage IV EGFR Lung Cancer: Ashley's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ashley, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive; T790M-positive

Metastatic Site: Not reported

As of September 2021, Ashley was living with incurable but treatable EGFR-positive/T790M-positive lung cancer on daily osimertinib/Tagrisso with ongoing oncology monitoring and side-effect management.

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Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Susan's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Susan Taylor, Female, 70+

As of July 2021, Susan had localized non-small cell lung cancer removed by robotic left upper lobectomy with lymph node removal and had returned to normal activities within 3 weeks; no metastatic disease or systemic therapy was reported.

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Stage I EGFR Lung Adenocarcinoma: Ashley's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ashley Stringer, Female, Under 40 | Stage I

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive

As of May 2021, Ashley was 4 years from diagnosis after lobectomy and 2 radiation courses, with ongoing monitoring of lung nodules and possible future EGFR-targeted therapy if needed.

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A small primary lung adenocarcinoma found during treatment for a separate gestational cancer

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

Biomarkers: TTF-1 positive; napsin A positive.

The 9 mm lung adenocarcinoma was removed with clear margins and described as curatively resected, with CT surveillance continuing every six months.

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Immunotherapy and surgery for lung adenocarcinoma with two brain metastases

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s

Biomarkers: PD-L1 100%; no actionable mutations on next-generation sequencing.

After brain surgery, radiation, 11 cycles of pembrolizumab, and lung surgery, she was off treatment and under observation in remission.

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Immunotherapy and surgery for adenosquamous lung cancer with brain metastases

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+

Biomarkers: PD-L1 positive; no actionable mutations on next-generation sequencing.

After chemotherapy, 19 cycles of pembrolizumab, and right middle lobectomy, she was off immunotherapy and under observation in remission.

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Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Rachel's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Rachel Chua Bradley, Female, 50s

As of April 2021, Rachel had completed treatment for recurrent non-small cell lung cancer, was not on maintenance cancer medication, and returned to MD Anderson every 6 months for checkups.

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Lung cancer surgery after a Trousseau syndrome-related stroke

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

At 23 months after left pneumonectomy, he had no recurrence and continued outpatient surveillance.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Primary pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma found with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 50s

Biomarkers: Cytokeratin-positive; SMA-positive; p63-positive; TTF-1-negative; S100-negative; CK20-negative; CD56-negative.

Six months after adjuvant radiation, restaging CT showed treatment-related changes without local or metastatic recurrence.

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Likely lung carcinoma presenting as bilateral adrenal metastases

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

Metastatic Site: bilateral adrenal glands

Three months after bilateral adrenalectomy, he remained under regular oncology surveillance, was receiving steroid replacement, and had not required adjuvant chemotherapy.

PubMed CentralRead more →

A regressed choroidal metastasis during EGFR-targeted lung cancer treatment

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion.

Metastatic Site: liver; bone; central nervous system; right choroid

The right choroidal metastasis appeared inactive and regressed during systemic treatment, visual acuity remained 20/20, and no local eye treatment was required.

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Stage I Lung Cancer: Deborah's Patient Story

Patient Info: Deborah Schroeder, Female | Stage I

As of December 2020, Deborah had completed 3 separate 4-day SBRT courses for Stage I lung cancers and remained under monitoring for about 10 tiny lung nodules that had been stable for years.

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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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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.

PubMed CentralRead more →

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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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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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.

PubMed CentralRead more →

BRCA1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Nadine's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Nadine Beech, Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: Germline BRCA1 mutation for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk; lung cancer biomarker not reported

As of November 2016, Nadine was cancer-free after right bilobectomy for recurrent non-small cell lung cancer, following 19 years of lung cancer management that included left lower lobectomy, surveillance, Tarceva, and risk-reducing surgery for germline BRCA1.

MD AndersonRead more →

Lung cancer follow-up: returning to golf while living with an ongoing tumor

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

As of September 2015, he was more than 1.5 years from diagnosis, the tumor was still present, treatment side effects varied by day, and he was waiting for the next control CT while trying to return to normal activities such as golf.

Lung cancer on Tarceva with stable symptoms during summer follow-up

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

As of July 2015, he was continuing Tarceva, felt strong overall, had no major cancer symptoms, and was waiting until October for the next CT while assuming the tumor remained stable.

Lung cancer follow-up with hopeful CT results and a treatment respite

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

As of March 2015, the latest CT was described as encouraging and gave him a period of respite from tests and hospital stress, although ongoing follow-up remained necessary.

Lung cancer first-anniversary survival milestone with slower-than-expected tumor growth

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

As of January 2015, he had reached 1 year since lung cancer detection, with slower-than-expected tumor growth and treatment that had given him an uncertain but meaningful extension of time.

EGFR-mutated lung cancer diary: PET-scan anxiety during treatment break

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

As of December 2014, the patient had been off treatment for 6 months with limited symptoms and was awaiting a PET scan to determine whether treatment should restart.