Stage II HR-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Dorian's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Dorian de Salvo, Female | Stage II

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2-positive

As of March 2024, Dorian had a complete response to TCHP chemotherapy, clear surgical margins, and no lymph-node involvement after surgery, with radiation completed and additional care still expected for several months.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage IIIB to metastatic rectal cancer: setback and treatment journey

Patient Info: Justine, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lung

As of March 2024, Justine was living with metastatic rectal cancer involving liver and lung, described as treatable but not curable, after surgery, permanent ileostomy, IV chemotherapy, liver ablation, lung SBRT, and Y-90 liver radioembolization.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Jason Randall: stage IV colorectal cancer and liver metastases

Patient Info: Jason Randall, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lung; tailbone/sacrum/pelvis

As of March 2024, Jason was 2.5 years off chemotherapy and 16 months with no evidence of disease after treatment for Stage IV rectosigmoid colorectal cancer.

City of HopeRead more →

Left Breast Cancer in a BRCA2 Carrier Treated With Mastectomy, Chemotherapy, and an Arm Port

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, Under 40

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive; HER2-negative; pathogenic BRCA2 variant

At 17 months after surgery, she was free from disease and reported good quality of life and satisfaction with reconstruction and the arm port.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Triple-Negative Metaplastic Breast Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy, Oncoplastic Surgery, and Radiation

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 40s

Biomarkers: Triple-negative

Follow-up imaging and clinical examinations showed no residual or recurrent disease for 2 years after treatment.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Colorectal Cancer: Stephanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Stephanie McBride, 40s

After chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and a temporary ileostomy, Stephanie continued managing neuropathy, pain, and increased anxiety.

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

Breast Cancer: Loriana's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Loriana, Female

Biomarkers: Breast cancer biomarkers not reported

As of February 2024, Loriana was surviving after AML and later breast cancer, while living with chronic pain, depression, PTSD, and a strong advocacy role focused on patient support and self-advocacy.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Breast Cancer Survivor Develops Painful Scar Calcifications 15 Years After Treatment

Patient Info: Anonymized, female

Biomarkers: Triple-negative

About 20 years after her 2003 diagnosis, tissue removed during the 2022-2023 scar surgeries showed dystrophic calcifications and inflammation without signs of cancer.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage I Breast Adenocarcinoma: Debbie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Debbie Wade, Female | Stage I

As of February 2024, Debbie was cancer-free after double mastectomy, 4 weeks of radiation therapy and DIEP flap reconstruction for Stage I mucinous adenocarcinoma of the left breast, with mild left-arm lymphedema as the only reported side effect.

MD AndersonRead more →

EGFR-mutated stage IV lung cancer complicated by radiation lung injury and severe COVID-19

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

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation; TP53 mutation

Metastatic Site: bone

Osimertinib produced a significant reduction in the lung lesions. She remained alive at the last follow-up in July 2023 after recovering from severe COVID-19 and treatment-related lung complications.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV BRCA Breast Cancer: Dena's Patient Story

Patient Info: Dena Ofengeim, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive; BRCA mutation

Metastatic Site: spine

Dena improved rapidly after treatment, regained her mobility, returned to an active life, and remained on therapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Bobbi's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Bobbi Ratliff, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver|lungs

On February 1, 2024, scans showed no evidence of cancer after multimodal treatment for Stage IV disease.

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma with a large brain metastasis responding to brigatinib

Patient Info: Anonymized, female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive

Metastatic Site: brain

The approximately 70 mm brain metastasis shrank dramatically within 2 to 5 weeks of brigatinib, allowing transition back to outpatient care.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Male Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer With a Pathogenic PALB2 Variant

Patient Info: Anonymized, male, 40s

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2 not amplified; pathogenic PALB2 variant

He was disease-free at 1-year follow-up after mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Jelena's Survivor Story

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

As of January 2024, Jelena was on annual follow-up after Stage III rectal cancer treatment, with her latest colonoscopy showing no polyps or suspicious findings.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Understanding rectal squamous cell carcinoma, a rare form of rectal cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female

Biomarkers: SCC antigen 0.6 ng/mL at 6-month response assessment

A complete response was established at 6 months, and she remained without clinical, laboratory or imaging evidence of disease 2 years after treatment.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Lung Cancer: Deborah's Patient Story

Patient Info: Deborah Persinger, Female, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of January 2024, Deborah was living actively 13 years after lung cancer diagnosis, with recurrent brain metastases managed through repeated Gamma Knife radiosurgery and ongoing MRI surveillance.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Jason's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jason Reese, Male, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver

As of January 2024, Jason still had active Stage IV rectal cancer, but extensive liver metastases had decreased from innumerable lesions to very few visible on scans, and treatment planning continued.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Rare lung cancer first discovered as a mass in the skull

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: KRAS ; CK7-positive; CDX2-positive; pathology favoured pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma

Metastatic Site: skull base / sphenoid sinus; right posterior acetabulum

He received palliative radiation and prolonged systemic therapy, completing 35 cycles including 31 maintenance cycles of pemetrexed and pembrolizumab.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Sally's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sally Johnston, 70+

Biomarkers: Estrogen receptor-positive

Sally was in remission by the end of 2014 and remained active about 10 years after treatment.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Aggressive breast cancer presenting with severe skin infection

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female

Biomarkers: ER 99% positive; PR 99% positive; HER2 1+ / negative; Ki-67 3%; grade 2; 3 interpectoral lymph nodes negative; later axillary-node biopsy benign

She recovered from sepsis and surgery, had no distant metastases and a benign axillary-node biopsy, and was receiving adjuvant radiation with anastrozole ongoing.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage I lung squamous cell carcinoma: surgery and IMRT for localized tracheal recurrence

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 60s | Stage I

Three months after IMRT, PET-CT and bronchoscopy showed no residual tracheal lesion, no mediastinal lymph-node involvement, and no metastasis; he remained alive in the third year of follow-up with 6-month monitoring.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Jim's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jim Bromwich, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Lung

As of January 2024, he had completed focused radiation to an isolated lung nodule and was awaiting follow-up scans; another tiny lung nodule was being monitored but was not PET-avid.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage III Breast Cancer: Gail's Patient Story

Patient Info: Gail, Female, 60s | Stage III

Biomarkers: Luminal A

As of 2024, Gail had Stage III luminal A breast cancer and was awaiting the start of planned treatment with lumpectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →