Stage III Breast Cancer: Diana's Survivor Story

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

Diana described herself as being in remission while continuing low-toxicity antineoplastic monotherapy. She remained in active follow-up and focused on rebuilding daily life.

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Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Paisley's Patient Story

Patient Info: Paisley | Stage I

She completed surgery and radiation and remained on hormone therapy more than a year after diagnosis.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Valiente's Patient Story

Patient Info: Valiente, Female | Stage III

Valiente completed treatment and was not taking cancer medication, while continuing to worry about recurrence.

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Stage 0 Breast Cancer: Jacqueline's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jacqueline, Female, 50s | Stage 0

Jacqueline completed treatment for Stage 0 breast cancer and was in remission after breast-conserving surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Carlie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Carlie, Female, 50s | Stage III

As of 2022, Carlie was in remission after double mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, while continuing hormone therapy and managing long-term side effects.

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Colorectal Cancer: Li's Patient Story

Patient Info: Li Zong

Li Zong remained on chemotherapy and targeted therapy while considering future hospice and palliative care.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Carmen's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Carmen, Female, 50s | Stage III

Carmen was declared cancer-free in February 2023 after surgery and follow-up examinations, while continuing hormone therapy and pain medication.

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Martha

Patient Info: Martha | Stage II

Martha had completed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and remained on hormone therapy while managing fatigue, lymphedema, and neuropathy.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Sanjana's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sanjana | Stage I

Sanjana says she has completed treatment and continues monthly check-ups while managing lingering concerns about menopause and the effects of therapy.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Sarah's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sarah | Stage II

Sarah says she is in remission and continues hormone therapy.

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A second colon cancer leading to a Lynch syndrome diagnosis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 40s

Biomarkers: Complete loss of MSH2 and MSH6 nuclear staining in the cecal tumor; germline pathogenic MSH2 variant NM_000251.2:c.942+3A>T; Lynch syndrome.

The cecal cancer was treated with complete colectomy, while later presumed recurrences were ultimately identified as meningiomas and metastatic pheochromocytoma; he died after the pheochromocytoma progressed.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Edith's Patient Story

Patient Info: Edith | Stage III

Edith said her breast cancer was in remission while she continued hormone therapy; she had also begun separate treatment for lymphoma.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Martha's Patient Story

Patient Info: Martha | Stage II

Martha underwent multimodal treatment for stage II breast cancer and remained focused on living, supporting others, and seeing her son build a fulfilling life.

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Stage II Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Michael's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Michael | Stage II

Declared cancer-free in July 2024 after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Ada's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Ada, Female, 50s | Stage III

Ada described herself as being in remission while continuing hormone therapy. Fear of relapse remained, but she was focusing on travel, healthier routines and time with loved ones.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Katie's Survivor Story

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

Biomarkers: Hormone-sensitive breast cancer; specific receptor results not otherwise reported

As of December 2021, Katie had no evidence of cancer at the 5-year treatment mark after Stage III hormone-sensitive breast cancer treatment and later had twins after ovarian function returned.

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Long-term complete response to nivolumab after recurrent Stage IV gastric cancer

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

Biomarkers: HER2-negative, PD-L1 CPS ≤1

Metastatic Site: peritoneum, distant lymph nodes

About 7 years after surgery and roughly 3 years after starting nivolumab, CT showed no recurrent nodules or enlarged lymph nodes. She remained on nivolumab with a complete clinical response, had regained weight and returned to work.

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Stage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Jacque's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jacque, Female | Stage III

Jacque was treated for Stage III ILC with chemotherapy, 2 lumpectomies, daily radiation, and ongoing Tamoxifen as of December 2021.

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Phrenic nerve palsy after repeated radiation for left breast cancer

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

She was discharged on room air after steroid treatment improved the hypoxia associated with right diaphragmatic weakness.

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Metastatic Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer Complicated by Treatment-Related Sarcoidosis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Metastatic Site: peritoneum

During a treatment holiday, biopsy and laboratory evaluation showed treatment-related sarcoidosis rather than ovarian-cancer spread in the enlarged lymph nodes. After prednisone, the sarcoidosis resolved and imaging showed no progression of the clear cell ovarian cancer; she remained clinically well 4 months later.

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Gastric Cancer: Daniel's Patient Story

Patient Info: Daniel ‘Joe’ Einspahr, Male

Biomarkers: BRAC2 mutation

Joe returned to full-time work and continued follow-up scans every 6 months after treatment for the local recurrence.

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Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Abby's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Abby Kanarek, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: PD-L1 90%

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of November 2021, Abby was in remission 2 years after only 4 Keytruda infusions, with the lung cancer eliminated and ongoing surveillance by a multidisciplinary City of Hope team.

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Gastric Cancer: Tony's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tony, Male, 60s

Tony died on July 24, 2013, 2 months after diagnosis and less than 1 month before his 70th birthday.

Gastric Cancer: Sundar's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sundar Matpadi, 40s

Sundar reported no evidence of disease after treatment, while continuing J-tube nutrition and gradually regaining weight.