Palliative Care: 77 Real Stories

77 stories match palliative care. 49 of them mention chemotherapy.

Cancer Stories

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

Male breast cancer in both breasts linked to Klinefelter syndrome, initially missed

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2-negative; Klinefelter syndrome

Metastatic Site: spine / bone

With advanced metastatic disease and an estimated prognosis of weeks or less, care focused on symptom relief under the palliative-care team.

PubMed Central
OutcomeEnd of Life / Hospice
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
Melbey, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian CancerOvarian Cancer

Stage IV Ovarian Cancer: Melbey's Patient Story

Patient Info: Melbey Segovia, Female | Stage IV

Melbey Segovia died on May 4, 2021, about 5 years and 3 months after her February 2016 diagnosis, after three relapses and hospice care.

Dana-Farber
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Stage IV Stomach Cancer With Recurrent Bowel Obstruction and Severe Pain

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: splenic flexure|perineal nodule

He remained on palliative treatment more than 6 months after the described admission and had 3 additional hospitalizations for recurrent partial small-bowel obstruction, all managed without surgery.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Valerie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Valerie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Valerie Frank, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: bone, lung, liver

Living with Stage IV breast cancer after recurrence in the bones, lungs and liver in January 2022, with oncology and palliative care support.

Dana-Farber
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian AdenocarcinomaOvarian Cancer

Stage IV Ovarian Cancer Complicated by Anti-Yo Cerebellar Degeneration

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: CA-125: 1767 kU/L; anti-Yo antibodies positive in serum and cerebrospinal fluid

Her anti-Yo paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration progressed despite methylprednisolone and plasma exchange. Care became palliative, and she died 2 months after hospital admission.

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

Chemotherapy complication: methotrexate absorbed into the bloodstream after spinal injection

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2-negative; Oncotype DX Recurrence Score 20

Metastatic Site: leptomeninges / central nervous system; brain

Five months after leptomeningeal carcinomatosis was recognised, she developed a new 2 cm brain lesion and neurological decline. Her family chose supportive care, and she died 10 days after transfer to inpatient hospice.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Doran, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Stage IV Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Doran's Patient Story

Patient Info: Doran Barro, Female, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: peritoneum|liver|lungs

Doran entered hospice on September 24 and died on September 30, 2014, about 5 months after diagnosis.

No Stomach For Cancer
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Gastric Cancer Forming a Fistula Into the Liver

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+ | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Metastatic Site: liver|lungs

The cancer recurred locally with liver deposits 4 months after surgery and later spread to the liver and lungs. She declined further treatment, entered palliative care, and died in hospital about 2 months later.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Metastatic Gastric Cancer Causing Severe Hormone-Related Complications

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+ | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Biomarkers: HER2 negative; Ki-67 70%; CD56 positive; synaptophysin positive; weak chromogranin expression; ectopic ACTH secretion; elevated serum chromogranin A

Metastatic Site: liver

His liver metastases enlarged despite carboplatin, and his weight loss, appetite, and mobility worsened. He received palliative care during a later admission and died a few days afterward.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Ovarian AdenocarcinomaOvarian Cancer

Rapidly Progressive Stage IIIA2 Ovarian Cancer With Anaplastic Features

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40 | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Biomarkers: CA-125 419 IU/mL; CA19-9 elevated; lactate dehydrogenase elevated

Metastatic Site: lungs|liver

Within 30 days of surgery, the cancer had progressed with a large retroperitoneal nodal mass and new lung and liver metastases. She died from advanced ovarian cancer 5 weeks after surgery.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Ramucirumab and paclitaxel for metastatic gastric cancer in a patient receiving hemodialysis

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

Biomarkers: HER2-negative

Metastatic Site: liver, distant lymph nodes

After about 16 months of disease control on paclitaxel plus ramucirumab, multiple liver metastases and distant lymph nodes progressed. Third-line irinotecan was stopped after severe toxicity, and supportive care followed.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSetback / Progression
A patient, who was diagnosed with Gastric AdenocarcinomaGastric Cancer

Gastric Cancer Presenting With Painful Skeletal Muscle Metastases

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 40s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Metastatic Site: skeletal muscles

He had painful skeletal muscle metastases, an ECOG performance score of 3, and advanced gastric cancer that was not suitable for tumor-directed treatment. His care focused on palliation and end-of-life support.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Scurvy and Severe Bruising During Metastatic Colon Cancer Care

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

Metastatic Site: vagina|sacrum

She died one year after hospitalization for scurvy and Klebsiella bacteremia, following progressive malignancy, recurrent infections, and community palliative care.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Lung adenocarcinoma first presented through skin and haemorrhagic brain metastases

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

Biomarkers: TTF-1-positive; CK7-positive; CEA-positive; PD-L1 10%; EGFR-negative; ALK-negative; ROS1-negative; BRAF-negative

Metastatic Site: skin|brain

Her condition declined rapidly after brain radiation, systemic therapy could not be started, and she died from metastatic lung cancer within 6 weeks of presentation.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory