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

What happened, in summary

Rachel Chua Bradley was 50 when she was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and treated near home in northern Virginia. A few years later, the cancer came back. Rachel, an ICU nurse, wanted more information and a plan she trusted, so she went to MD Anderson. Her recurrent cancer was a rare lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. Because the tumor was close to her esophagus, her MD Anderson team reviewed her case carefully, including tumor board discussion and consultations across surgery, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology. A local surgeon had recommended removing her diaphragm and entire right lung and warned her about major surgical risks. At MD Anderson, her surgeon did not think that level of surgery was necessary. Before surgery, Rachel received 2 rounds of chemotherapy and the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab. The tumor shrank enough to detach from the lining of her esophagus, making it easier to remove. In July 2019, surgery removed the lower and middle lobes of her right lung along with 36 nearby lymph nodes. Rachel recovered quickly and was walking the next morning. As of April 2021, she had no complications or side effects from surgery, was not taking maintenance cancer medication, and returned to MD Anderson every 6 months for checkups. Her story is one of completed treatment and careful surveillance after recurrent lung cancer.