Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Rosee's Patient Story
This lung cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage IV
- Subtype
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Biomarkers
- EGFR mutation; specific variant not reported
- Sex
- Female
- Spread to
- brain
- Treatment
- targeted therapy
- Outcome
- Responding Well
Treatment course, step by step
- After comprehensive genomic testing identified an EGFR mutation, Rosee began osimertinib (Tagrisso), with substantial tumor shrinkage and rapid improvement in neurological symptoms.
What happened, in summary
Rosee’s symptoms began in September 2022 with severe dizziness, loss of balance, and a spinning sensation. Over the next 2 years, she developed hearing loss, persistent vertigo, migraines, and numbness in one hand. The symptoms were attributed to Ménière’s disease until a fall and worsening neurological problems led to an MRI in May 2024. The scan showed multiple brain metastases, and further imaging identified Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer as the primary cancer.
During an 18-day hospital stay, Rosee learned about comprehensive biomarker testing and sought a second opinion. Genomic testing found an EGFR mutation, allowing her to start osimertinib. Within weeks, her tumors shrank significantly, the migraines and vertigo disappeared, and her hearing began to improve.
Rosee continued treatment while drawing support from her husband, children, medical team, and other patient advocates. She became active in education and fundraising for lung-cancer research, with a particular focus on developing better early-detection options for people who do not meet smoking-based screening criteria.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Read the original in full
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.