Surgery: 2,208 Real Stories

2,208 stories match surgery. 1,436 of them mention chemotherapy.

Cancer Stories

Sydney, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Sydney's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sydney, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

Sydney was living with Stage IV colorectal cancer involving the liver and lungs. After multiple lines of treatment, she had a new liver spot and was back on lower-dose FOLFIRI every other Tuesday with a 46-hour pump.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Amber, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Amber's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Amber Mike, Female, 40s | Stage III

As of February 2026, Amber had completed Stage III colorectal cancer treatment, was doing well under close monitoring with tumor markers every 3 months, and was rebuilding life through survivorship, therapy, travel, and advocacy.

City of Hope
OutcomeSurvivorship / Surveillance
Natasha, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Natasha's Patient Story

Patient Info: Natasha McCants, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Unspecified tumor mutation identified by molecular testing

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs; ovary

As of February 2026, Natasha’s Stage IV colorectal cancer was under control after mutation-informed treatment at City of Hope, but Signatera showed potentially active cells and she remained on daily chemotherapy pills.

City of Hope
OutcomeResponding Well
Jacqueline, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Jacqueline's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jacqueline Bennett, Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: Initial ER-negative, PR-negative, HER2-negative; later HER2-positive

Jacqueline completed treatment for initial Stage IA triple-negative breast cancer during pregnancy and later developed a HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer. After 3 of 6 current treatments, the tumor was no longer visible on ultrasound or MRI, with targeted therapy and double mastectomy still planned.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy: remission

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative

The patient remains in remission 30 months after surgery. Immune-related brachial plexopathy after treatment improved after steroids, IVIG, and plasmapheresis, with electrophysiologic resolution and near-complete strength and sensory recovery.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Shira, who was diagnosed with Stage I Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage I EGFR Lung Cancer: Shira's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Shira, Female | Stage I

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 20 insertion

Shira had Stage IB lung cancer detected early through imaging and treated with surgery alone. Her tumor was later categorized as low risk of recurrence, and she described herself as cancer-free as of February 2026.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Desmoid Tumor / FAP-associated invasive fibromatosisDesmoid Tumor / FAP-associated invasive fibromatosis

FAP-associated desmoid tumor after prior rectal cancer: surveillance with tumor shrinkage

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: APC p.Cys607Ter mutation; beta-catenin positive; Ki-67 about 2%. Other diagnostic markers supported desmoid tumor.

At 5-year follow-up, CT showed more than 50% tumor shrinkage, reduced organ compression, complete resolution of mesenteric ischemia signs, partial symptom relief, and no malignant polyps on annual colonoscopy.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
Timothy, who was diagnosed with Stage I Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage I Colorectal Cancer: Timothy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Timothy Beckner, Male, 40s | Stage I

As of February 2026, Timothy was cancer-free after laparoscopic surgery for Stage I cecum/right-sided colon cancer and was moving into surveillance colonoscopy follow-up.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage I Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Prior Stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with fungal airway disease mimicking recurrence

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

Her prior Stage IA lung adenocarcinoma was surgically treated without adjuvant therapy, and later pulmonary lesions were attributed to allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis rather than cancer recurrence; symptoms and imaging improved after antifungal and inhaled therapy.

PubMed Central
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
A patient, who was diagnosed with Lung CancerLung Cancer

Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with complete response after neoadjuvant therapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 60s

Biomarkers: WWTR1-CAMTA1 fusion; vascular markers supported epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; lung cancer markers were absent.

The patient achieved radiographic disappearance of the lung tumor after neoadjuvant paclitaxel/carboplatin plus bevacizumab. Surgery then showed no residual tumor and lymph nodes were negative; CT follow-up through April 2024 showed no recurrence.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
John, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: John's Survivor Story

Patient Info: John Murray, Male, 50s | Stage III

As of February 2026, John’s latest tests showed no evidence of cancer after Stage III rectal cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and laparoscopic surgery with permanent colostomy; close surveillance was planned for 2 years.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Louise, who was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Louise's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Louise Butcher, Female

As of February 2026, Louise Butcher was living after lobular breast cancer, raising awareness about going flat, body image, and running after bilateral mastectomy.

So Now I've Got Breast Cancer
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Taylor, who was diagnosed with Stage I Lung CancerLung Cancer

Stage I Lung Cancer: Taylor's Survivor Story

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

Taylor had a Stage IB 4 cm lung carcinoid tumor removed surgically with clean margins at age 21. She did not need chemotherapy or radiation and was 18 years post-diagnosis as of February 2026.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Invasive lobular breast cancer with colonic metastases treated with colectomy and capecitabine

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

Biomarkers: Breast and colon metastatic samples were ER+ and HER2-; PR varied by sample

Metastatic Site: colon; perivisceral lymph nodes

After laparoscopic left colectomy and capecitabine for colonic metastases, follow-up showed no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence or progression at 8 months postoperatively.

PubMed Central
OutcomeResponding Well
A patient, who was diagnosed with Breast Squamous Cell CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Non-metastatic metaplastic triple-negative breast cancer with residual disease after chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: Metaplastic triple-negative breast cancer; HER2 0

The patient had an initial partial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy but then progressed before surgery. Modified radical mastectomy found substantial residual metaplastic carcinoma with 0/21 nodes involved, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and metronomic capecitabine.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Caroline, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage III HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Caroline's Patient Story

Patient Info: Caroline McNally, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

Biomarkers: Hormone-positive component reported; exact ER/PR/HER2 panel not stated

As of February 2026, Caroline was in active treatment for Stage III hormone-positive breast cancer, receiving Taxol after dose-dense AC and preparing for double mastectomy, likely radiation, and hormone therapy.

Susan G. Komen
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Janet, who was diagnosed with Stage II Invasive Ductal CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Stage II HR-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Janet's Patient Story

Patient Info: Janet Ayala, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

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

After complete pathologic response and completion of HER2-targeted infusions, Janet remained in survivorship-focused ongoing care with estrogen suppression and additional endocrine/targeted therapy planning to reduce recurrence risk.

City of Hope
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Joe, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Joe Carr

Patient Info: Joe Carr | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver, lungs

After about 2.5 years of chemotherapy and radiation, Joe had progression in his liver and lungs and was preparing to move into a clinical trial.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Phil, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Phil's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Phil Bosanko, Male, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver

As of February 2026, Phil was alive and cancer-free nearly 20 years after a Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis with extensive liver metastases.

City of Hope
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED