Stage IV HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer: Bryan's Patient Story
This gastric cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage IV
- Biomarkers
- HER2-positive
- Sex
- Male
- Spread to
- liver
- Treatment
- chemotherapy, targeted therapy and a clinical trial
- Outcome
- In Memory
Treatment course, step by step
- Bryan received FOLFOX chemotherapy plus trastuzumab (Herceptin) for about 6 months.
- A modified chemotherapy regimen plus Herceptin continued through much of 2020.
- After progression, he briefly joined a clinical trial of two targeted therapies but stopped because of serious side effects.
- In February 2021, he began trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu), and later scans showed the tumors shrinking again.
What happened, in summary
Bryan Chagolla was 38 when worsening abdominal pain, loss of appetite, heartburn, and nearly 40 pounds of weight loss led him to the emergency room in 2019. A biopsy confirmed Stage IV gastric, or stomach, cancer. The cancer was HER2-positive and had spread to his liver.
Bryan first received FOLFOX chemotherapy with trastuzumab (Herceptin) for about 6 months. The treatment reduced his tumors, including a large tumor near the junction of his stomach and esophagus. Because of side effects, his chemotherapy was later modified while Herceptin continued. By late 2020, blood tests and scans showed the cancer growing again.
He then entered a clinical trial of two targeted therapies but had to stop because of serious side effects. In February 2021, he started trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu). His cancer marker fell sharply, and a May 2021 scan showed his tumors shrinking again. Bryan focused on maintaining balance, spending time with family, and caring for his mental and spiritual health. He died on May 13, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by AACR. 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