Supportive Care: 342 Real Stories

342 stories match supportive care. 208 of them mention chemotherapy.

Cancer Stories

A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Squamous Cell CarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IVA lung squamous cell carcinoma with immune-checkpoint-inhibitor-associated Graves thyroid storm

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Cancer biomarkers not reported. Thyroid storm workup had TSAb/TRAb positivity consistent with Graves disease.

Metastatic Site: not specified in extracted case text

After thyroid storm improved with antithyroid therapy and supportive care, the patient was transferred for further lung-cancer treatment but died of progressive lung cancer about 2 months later.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Rachel, who was diagnosed with Stage I Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage I Colorectal Cancer: Rachel's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Rachel, Female, Under 40 | Stage I

As of June 2026, Rachel’s story described Stage I colon cancer treated with colectomy, no chemotherapy needed, and an oncologist-confirmed NED status, with lingering digestive and scar-tissue effects from surgery.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

EGFR-mutated Stage IV lung cancer with later brain progression

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion; acquired EGFR C797S mutation; acquired ROS1 rearrangement

Metastatic Site: brain|bone

She died about 20 months after diagnosis after brain progression and a severe postoperative stroke.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal AdenocarcinomaColorectal Cancer

Rectal cancer that spread through the lungs: complete remission after BRAF-targeted therapy

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

Biomarkers: BRAF mutation; HER2-negative; microsatellite stable; no detectable KRAS or NRAS mutations

Metastatic Site: lungs (pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis);…

After progression with recurrent lung metastases and a new pericardial effusion, she chose hospice care and died in February 2025, 19 months after diagnosis.

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

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Kristen's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kristen, Female | Stage III

Completed active treatment for Stage III colon cancer and entered survivorship while managing permanent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal AdenocarcinomaColorectal Cancer

Stage IV RET-fusion transverse colon cancer: partial response to selpercatinib after capecitabine progression

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

Biomarkers: Colon cancer had RET fusion, KRAS copy-number gain, low TMB, and no KRAS/NRAS/BRAF hotspot mutations.

Metastatic Site: liver

As of May 2026, she remained on reduced-dose selpercatinib with tolerable toxicity, substantial partial response in liver metastases and the primary tumor, and progression-free survival exceeding 14 months.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage IIIA small-cell lung cancer with anti-NMDAR encephalitis: initial complete response, recurrence, and death

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 60s

Biomarkers: CSF positive for anti-NMDAR antibodies; no tumor molecular biomarkers reported

The patient initially had rapid neurologic recovery and complete radiologic response after carboplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab, but the primary lung lesion recurred 7 months later and he died 21 months after disease onset.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
SI
Breast Cancer

Stage I luminal A invasive ductal breast cancer with post-treatment cognitive symptoms

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+ | Stage I

Biomarkers: ER 100% positive; PR 95% positive; HER2 score 0 / HER2-negative; Ki-67 10%; P63 negative

As of April 2026, the case focused on survivorship after Stage I luminal A breast cancer treatment, with cognitive complaints after chemotherapy and improved MoCA and depression scores after 12 sessions of tDCS; brain metastases had been ruled out.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IVA EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma: stable disease on first-line osimertinib

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion; baseline EGFR exon 20 T790M mutation; ALK IHC negative; PD-L1 TPS 30%; TTF-1-positive

Metastatic Site: pleura; malignant pleural-pericardial adhesions

As of April 2026, she had stable disease for more than 9 months on first-line osimertinib, with no progressive disease, no recurrent pleural effusion, ECOG improvement from 2 to 0, and no treatment-related adverse events.

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

Stage IV squamous NSCLC: durable pembrolizumab response followed by invasive aspergillosis, marrow failure, and death

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

Biomarkers: PD-L1 20%

Metastatic Site: bilateral lungs

After durable partial response to pembrolizumab-based therapy, he developed severe pulmonary infection, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, progressive AA-like bone marrow failure with severe cytopenias, declined further treatment, and died at home in early 2025.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
A patient, who was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast CancerLung Cancer

Pulmonary nodules mimicking lung cancer in MPO-ANCA vasculitis with kidney injury

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: Initial vasculitis/kidney markers: MPO-ANCA and anti-GBM positive, high creatinine/proteinuria, anemia.

As of November 20, 2023, kidney function had improved, dialysis was stopped, ANCA/GBM antibodies were negative, pulmonary nodules were much smaller, and she was maintained on azathioprine 100 mg daily.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Squamous Cell CarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IV squamous lung cancer with steroid-refractory immune-related gastritis after pembrolizumab

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

Biomarkers: Gastric biopsy during immune gastritis showed CD8-positive lymphocyte inflammation, no cancer

After about 2 years of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab, lung cancer treatment was stopped because of tumor growth; the later immune-related gastritis improved after escalation to infliximab, while the cancer course remained a setback/progression story.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Marina, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II Breast Cancer: Marina's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Marina, Female | Stage II

Stage II breast cancer survivor after chemotherapy, with ongoing survivorship advice focused on hair loss, neuropathy, fertility preservation, nausea, fatigue, chemo brain, and support.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Judy, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Breast Cancer: Judy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Judy ViaCava, Female

As of April 2026, Judy ViaCava was 14 years beyond breast cancer and working as a certified Cancer Journey Coach, discussing identity, vulnerability, and life after cancer.

The Cancer Journey Podcast
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer complicated by severe low magnesium

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

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: bone|lungs|liver|brain

She died during a hospitalization for advanced metastatic breast cancer and severe treatment-related hypomagnesemia, with her final care focused on comfort.

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

Stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma: major pathological response after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, complicated by DILI/TEN

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 50s | Stage III

Biomarkers: No lung molecular biomarkers reported

At 23 months after thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy, he was clinically stable with no evidence of tumor recurrence; severe postoperative DILI/TEN had improved after stopping the offending drug and intensive supportive treatment.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Small-cell lung cancer: envafolimab response complicated by immune-related diabetes, pneumonitis, and later submandibular progression

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

Biomarkers: ProGRP and NSE were elevated at diagnosis. Tumor molecular biomarkers were not reported; diabetes antibodies were negative.

Metastatic Site: left submandibular region / adjacent lymph nodes

After initial partial response on envafolimab, carboplatin, etoposide, and thoracic radiotherapy, he developed immune-related diabetes, pneumonitis, and progressive left submandibular metastatic disease requiring iodine-125 seeds and later anlotinib.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Lauren, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Lauren's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lauren Huffmaster, Female | Stage IV

As of March 2026, Lauren Huffmaster had been living with metastatic breast cancer since 2015 and had founded Adventure Therapy Foundation, using story work and support programs to help others with cancer.

The Cancer Journey Podcast
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Metastatic invasive lobular breast cancer with stomach, ovarian, peritoneal, rectal, and jejunal spread

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Primary tumor and gastric metastasis were ER/PR positive and HER2 negative; GATA3 supported breast origin in the metastasis.

Metastatic Site: stomach; ovaries; peritoneum; rectum; jejunum

During 2025, she remained under active oncologic management for metastatic invasive lobular breast cancer with gastrointestinal, ovarian, peritoneal, rectal, and jejunal involvement.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Lung Squamous Cell CarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IA2 squamous lung cancer: lung-sparing segmentectomy after COPD optimization

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+

Biomarkers: Squamous lung cancer markers present; PD-L1 TPS 10%, EGFR IHC present

At 18 months after lung-sparing VATS segmentectomy, he had good quality of life, no dyspnea or chronic cough, and surveillance imaging showed no recurrence.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

ER-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer with rare paranasal sinus and skull metastasis

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

Biomarkers: Primary and paranasal sinus metastasis were ER positive, PR negative, HER2 positive; GATA3 supported breast origin in metastasis.

Metastatic Site: left frontal sinus; ethmoid air cells; posterior…

The paranasal sinus/skull metastasis did not respond to palliative radiotherapy; her condition deteriorated and she died 2 years after her initial presentation to the treating facility.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory