Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Duncan's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Duncan Edmonstone was 55 when a seizure led to a sudden Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis. He had not had the symptoms people often associate with lung cancer, such as a persistent cough or chest pain. After scans and tests, doctors found advanced lung cancer that had spread to his brain. He had an emergency operation at Salford Royal to remove the brain tumor, then was referred to The Christie less than 1 week later. Genetic testing showed a rare ALK-positive mutation. That result changed the outlook because ALK-positive lung cancer can respond to targeted therapy. Duncan started alectinib tablets, which he was still taking 6 years after diagnosis. He reported minimal side effects, although the medicine made him very sensitive to the sun, shaping the kinds of travel he and his wife chose. His story emphasizes how much lung cancer treatment can depend on biomarker testing. Duncan had prepared himself for the worst after hearing general Stage IV lung cancer statistics, but targeted therapy allowed him to keep living actively. As of the story, he was doing well 6 years after diagnosis, living with metastatic ALK-positive lung cancer on ongoing alectinib.