Chemotherapy: 1,904 Real Stories

1,904 stories match chemotherapy. 1,436 of them mention surgery.

A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer Recurs After a 19-Year Remission and Responds to Later Chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial tumor: PR-positive, ER-negative, HER2-negative. Recurrence: ER-positive, PR-negative

Metastatic Site: bones

The cancer recurred after a 19-year remission and later spread to bone. More than 21 years after the original diagnosis, she had marked tumor shrinkage, was in good general condition, and had 10 months of progression-free survival after utidelone plus capecitabine.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Male Breast Cancer Controlled for Years Through Multiple Lines of Targeted and Endocrine Therapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, male, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial tumor ER-positive, PR-positive, HER2-positive; later ER-positive, PR-negative, HER2-negative; PIK3CA mutation; germline BRCA1/2 negative

Metastatic Site: bones, pleura, liver

After a 5-year and 6-month disease-free interval, the cancer recurred in bone and later progressed to the pleura and liver. He died in January 2021, more than 13 years after his 2007 breast-cancer diagnosis.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Treatment-Refractory Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treated With Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Germline BRCA1 pathogenic variant; later triple-negative phenotype

Metastatic Site: skin, lungs, bones

Tumor burden briefly decreased after tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, but she developed severe treatment complications followed by rapid cancer relapse and died about 1 month after the TIL/IL-2 treatment began.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage II Gastric CancerGastric Cancer

Gastric Cancer Treatment Interrupted by Capecitabine-Related Brain Toxicity

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage II

Her cognition and vital signs improved over several days after capecitabine was stopped. At follow-up 2 weeks later, chemotherapy remained suspended and the treatment plan was revised to radiation alone.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Brain radiation therapy complication (radionecrosis) potentially linked to combined chemo-immunotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: PD-L1 0%; tumour mutational burden 33 mutations/Mb; TP53 mutation at diagnosis; later ctDNA included KEAP1 and NOTCH3 alterations

Metastatic Site: brain; presumed leptomeningeal disease

She recovered completely from surgery for radiation necrosis, resumed cancer treatment and remained neurologically intact at 18 months. She was found deceased 9 months later; the cause of death was unknown.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Stephanie, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Stephanie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Stephanie, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of November 2023, Stephanie reported that her oncologist said her cancer was in remission after surgery and chemotherapy, with CT/lab follow-up and a PET scan for reassurance.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Loralee, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV BRAF Colorectal Cancer: Loralee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Loralee Lovell, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRAF mutation; microsatellite stable

Metastatic Site: liver|lungs|lymph nodes|peritoneal lining

Loralee continued treatment for metastatic colon cancer for several years and died on May 26, 2026.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Adenoid Cystic Breast Cancer Spreads to the Kidney, Lungs, Bone and Spleen

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Triple-negative

Metastatic Site: kidneys, lungs, spleen, bone, lymph nodes

The cancer progressed from an initial kidney metastasis to widespread disease involving the lungs, spleen, right kidney, lymph nodes, and C4 vertebra. By May 2022 she had worsening cachexia and pain, and best supportive care was recommended.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Jessica, who was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Jessica's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jessica, Female

Jessica had completed mastectomy and axillary surgery and had started dose-dense AC chemotherapy. Radiation and 10 years of Tamoxifen were planned as the next treatment steps.

Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Barbara, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Barbara's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Barbara, Female, 40s | Stage III

As of November 2023, Barbara described herself as a colon cancer survivor in year 4 after surgery and chemotherapy, continuing surveillance scans and living with scan anxiety and lasting treatment effects.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Sherri, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Sherri's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sherri, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRCA1-negative

Metastatic Site: Bone marrow

As of November 2023, Sherri had no evidence of disease on recent breast cancer scans but remained on targeted treatment every 3 weeks and had started oxaliplatin after surgery for a separate Stage III colon cancer.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Corky, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Inflammatory Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Corky's Patient Story

Patient Info: Corky, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Not reported

As of October 2023, Corky was living with Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer as a chronic condition, receiving ongoing treatment focused on prolonging life and preserving quality of life.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Sherri, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Multiple primaries: metastatic Breast Cancer + Colon/Colorectal CancerMultiple primaries: metastatic Breast Cancer + Colon/Colorectal Cancer

Stage IV HER2-Positive Multiple primaries: metastatic Breast Cancer + Colon/Colorectal Cancer: Sherri's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sherri, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive breast cancer; colon cancer Signatera positive before surgery and negative after surgery

Metastatic Site: Bone marrow

As of October 2023, Sherri had no evidence of disease on recent scans for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer but was receiving oxaliplatin/Oxyplatin chemotherapy and transfusions for a separate early Stage III colon cancer.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer: three years in remission with T-DM1 (Kadcyla) treatment

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive; hormone receptor-positive

Metastatic Site: liver; spine / bone

T-DM1 produced a complete clinical and radiological response after 7 cycles, sustained for 41 months and 60 cycles while treatment continued.

PubMed Central
OutcomeComplete Response
Jessica, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jessica's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jessica Bishop | Stage III

Jessica was receiving chemotherapy for Stage III colorectal cancer and had completed 2 of 4 planned rounds.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Brenda, who was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Brenda's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Brenda, Female, 40s

Brenda completed mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and an oophorectomy. She remained on anastrozole and a CDK4/6 inhibitor when she shared her story.

Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance
OutcomeCare Ongoing / Survivorship
Olivia, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Inflammatory Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV HER2-Positive Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Olivia's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Olivia Franz, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: Bones; distant lymph nodes

As of October 2023, Olivia continued to show no evidence of disease on scans while receiving maintenance trastuzumab and pertuzumab every 3 weeks and zoledronic acid every 3 months for bone health.

MD Anderson
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Julie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Julie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Julie Flower, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs; lymph nodes; bones

As of September 2023, Julie had longstanding Stage IV colorectal cancer but a strong clinical-trial response after about 2.5 years on trial, with possible first no-evidence-of-disease assessment expected soon but not confirmed in this record.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Severe colitis from pembrolizumab immunotherapy requiring additional treatment

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

Infliximab stopped the bleeding and reduced bowel movements from 11–12 to about 3–4 per day within 1 week, allowing discharge. Continued follow-up was needed for the colitis, hepatitis B reactivation risk and lung cancer.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

BRCA2-Mutated Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Controlled for 30 Months With Olaparib

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: PD-L1-negative; BRCA2 mutation; ATM mutation; EGFR-negative; ALK-negative

Metastatic Site: brain

Olaparib provided about 30 months of disease control, and PET imaging remained overall stable when a separate new breast primary was found in February 2023.

PubMed Central
OutcomeStable Disease