Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Christine's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Christine was 57, active, and previously healthy when shortness of breath, clavicle pain, and shoulder pain led to imaging. X-ray, CT, MRI, and PET scans showed pleural and cardiac effusions and Stage IV adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer. She had cancer in her lungs, liver, and brain. A biopsy found an ALK mutation, which changed the treatment path because ALK-positive lung cancer can be treated with targeted therapy. Christine started targeted therapy early. Alectinib cleared the brain and liver spots, and she later moved to lorlatinib. She also needed procedures to drain fluid from the linings of her lungs and heart. As of October 2023, her cancer was described as being in check, but treatment still affected daily life. She had gained weight and dealt with osteoarthritis, swelling, neuropathy in her hands, arms, legs, and feet, thyroid disease, type 2 diabetes, concentration changes, and Horner syndrome. Christine found strength through family, support groups, online lung cancer events, creativity, prayer, and meditation. Her story emphasizes biomarker testing, targeted therapy, and the reality that living longer with lung cancer can still mean living with major treatment effects. She also encouraged others to ask questions and seek support for treatment symptoms.