What happened, in summary

Leah Phillips never smoked, so a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis in December 2019 felt impossible. She was 43, with children ages 14, 13, and 9, and had been dealing with a persistent cough, unintentional weight loss, chest heaviness, and coughing up blood. Testing showed an EGFR mutation, and she was started on the daily oral targeted therapy osimertinib. She also received SBRT radiation. Leah understood that, with Stage IV lung cancer, she would likely need some form of ongoing treatment rather than being considered fully in remission. For years, she wanted the remaining walnut-sized mass in her right lung removed, but local doctors said surgery was too risky because she had already received lung radiation. In 2024, after hearing MD Anderson physicians discuss surgery for selected Stage IV lung cancer patients, Leah sought a consultation. Her team reviewed her scans, records, and tests and recommended removing the irradiated area so pathologists could examine it. On October 29, 2024, she had a lobectomy at MD Anderson. Surgeons removed the tumor and the middle lobe of her right lung. Pathology showed about 90% of tumor cells were dead, but 10% still contained active cancer after nearly 5 years on targeted therapy. As of December 2024, Leah was walking 45 minutes a day and recovering well, with ongoing Stage IV follow-up.