Cancer Stories
Search by cancer type, stage, biomarker or treatment to find people who've been exactly where you are.
Discuss
PatientSavvy: Join us
Gretchen Borzi learned in 2009 that she carried a germline CDH1 mutation, placing her at very high risk for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. After considering the recommendation for preventive surgery, she underwent total gastrectomy in July 2011 at age 40.
Although she had no known stomach cancer before the operation, examination of the removed stomach found 4 small areas of previously undetected early invasive carcinoma. The cancers were localized and had not spread to lymph nodes. No additional treatment was needed, and she was considered cured.
Adjusting to life without a stomach was difficult, but her recovery improved over time. She viewed the unexpected pathology as confirmation that the risk-reducing decision had removed cancer before it could advance.
Gretchen later used her experience to support awareness, research, and families affected by CDH1 mutations and gastric cancer.
This is a lay summary of an account first published by No Stomach For Cancer. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer