Lung Cancer: Xavier's Patient Story
This lung cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Sex
- Male
- Spread to
- kidneys
- Treatment
- systemic therapy, supportive care and surveillance
- Outcome
- Living With Cancer
Treatment course, step by step
- Unspecified oral cancer medication, 2 pills daily; care at a mental-health facility and therapy during a crisis; checkups every 3 months.
What happened, in summary
In spring 2022, Xavier Sanders was placed on Air Force reserve duty after repeatedly testing positive for COVID-19. Further evaluation found a spot in his lung, and a follow-up 3 months later showed that it had doubled in size. Biopsy confirmed cancer, and a full-body scan found disease in his lungs and kidneys. His doctor described the cancer as unusually rare, and Xavier wondered whether exposure to burn pits during 14 years of military service had contributed.
Treatment with an unspecified medication caused severe light sensitivity and exhaustion, and Xavier reached a suicidal crisis. A message from a friend helped him recognize that he could be in pain and still ask for help. Later that month, he sought care at a mental-health facility and began therapy, which helped him understand emotions he had been masking.
At the latest update, the cancer in Xavier’s lungs had cleared, although he had 53% lung function and remained in treatment for cancer in his kidneys. He was taking 2 pills a day, continued to experience side effects, and had checkups every 3 months. Physically, many challenges remained, but he described himself as happier and better able to ask for support.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by LUNGevity. 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