Surgery: 2,208 Real Stories

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

Cancer Stories

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

Stage III Breast Cancer Treatment Complicated by Coronary Thrombosis

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 40s | Stage III

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive; HER2-negative; Ki-67 25–30%

She achieved complete remission about 12 months after the myocardial infarction and remained in complete oncologic remission at 44 months.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Sian, who was diagnosed with Stage II Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage II HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Sian's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sian Bevans, Female, 50s | Stage II

Biomarkers: Triple-positive

Sian was 11 years past diagnosis, completed 10 years of maintenance medication in May 2025, and reported feeling more like herself; no recurrence was described.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Lea, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Lea's Patient Story

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

Metastatic Site: Bone: hip sockets, femurs, spine; liver

As of January 2026, Lea was living with metastatic breast cancer involving bone and liver and was in active treatment with Taxol after progression changed her treatment plan.

Susan G. Komen
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Scott, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Scott's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Scott Zeff, Male, 60s | Stage IV

As of January 2026, Scott had finished treatment for Stage IV rectal cancer, the cancer had not spread to other areas, and he was recovering with a temporary ileostomy while moving forward cancer-free.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage III Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer complicated by immunotherapy endocrine toxicity

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

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PgR-negative/PR-negative; HER2 0; Ki-67 70%; triple-negative breast cancer

After neoadjuvant therapy complicated by immune-related hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, and suspected hypophysitis, surgery showed residual ypT1c ypN0 triple-negative disease. Pembrolizumab was stopped, adjuvant capecitabine was completed in June 2025, and endocrine replacement/follow-up continued.

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

MET exon 14 skipping lung adenocarcinoma: sequential MET-TKI toxicity and ongoing chemotherapy

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

Biomarkers: MET exon 14 skipping mutation; EGFR negative; ALK negative; ROS1 negative; PD-L1 tumor proportion score 10%

Metastatic Site: pleura

The cancer recurred with pleural dissemination after surgery and adjuvant UFT. Sequential MET inhibitors and systemic therapies provided periods of disease control but were limited by ILD and non-ILD toxicities; at the report, he remained on carboplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab.

PubMed Central
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage I Lung AdenocarcinomaLung Cancer

Stage IA primary mucinous lung adenocarcinoma with enteric differentiation in a patient with CLL/SLL

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

Biomarkers: Lung tumor markers supported mucinous adenocarcinoma with enteric features. CLL/SLL markers were present in lymph nodes, not lung metastasis.

As of January 2026, he remained free of lung cancer for 24 months after thoracoscopic wedge resection of localized Stage IA primary mucinous lung adenocarcinoma, while CLL/SLL continued to be managed separately.

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

Breast Cancer Discovered After Widespread Bone Metastases

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

Biomarkers: ER 90–95%; PR 90–95%; HER2 IHC 0; Ki-67 5%; germline BRCA1/2 negative

Metastatic Site: bone, bone marrow

She was receiving ongoing letrozole and ribociclib for Stage IV hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with diffuse bone involvement.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal AdenocarcinomaColorectal Cancer

Stage IV MSI-H KRAS-mutant colorectal adenocarcinoma: severe pembrolizumab-associated hypercalcemia resolved with steroids and zoledronic acid

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

Biomarkers: KRAS G12xa mutation; MSI-H; BRAF wild type; NRAS wild type; PTH low-normal

Metastatic Site: liver

After the second pembrolizumab dose, severe hypercalcemia and electrolyte abnormalities resolved with high-dose glucocorticoids, zoledronic acid, and supportive care; cancer response was not yet described.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian CancerOvarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer Metastatic to an Axillary Lymph Node Without Breast Disease

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

Biomarkers: BRCA1/2 negative

Metastatic Site: right axillary lymph node

Secondary cytoreductive surgery in April 2025 achieved complete macroscopic cytoreduction, and she was discharged without complications.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing
A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Stage 2 breast cancer: lump discovered at 61, successful treatment

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

Biomarkers: Breast neuroendocrine tumor was ER/PR strongly positive, HER2 1+

Metastatic Site: lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, bone (ribs, spine,…

After Stage IIA primary breast neuroendocrine tumor treated with lumpectomy, sentinel lymph-node biopsy, radiation, and short-duration anastrozole, the patient developed metastatic recurrence about 2 years later, declined additional therapy, entered hospice, and died 1 month later.

PubMed Central
OutcomeIn Memory
Nadia, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Nadia's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Nadia D., Female

Nadia is living after surgery for low rectal cancer with a permanent ileostomy, improved quality of life, and ongoing ostomy adaptation.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Erica, who was diagnosed with Stage I Invasive Lobular CarcinomaBreast Cancer

Stage I HR-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Erica's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Erica, Female, 40s | Stage I

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

As of December 2025, Erica had Stage IA ER-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative ILC removed with negative lymph nodes, completed 16 rounds of radiation, and was focused on survivorship and advocacy.

Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Briana, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Briana's Survivor Story

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

A CT scan before completion of chemotherapy showed no signs of disease; she later had colostomy reversal and returned to work and normal activity while continuing scan surveillance.

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

Triple-negative breast cancer with occult metastasis in parathyroid and ectopic thyroid adenomas: complete remission after chemotherapy

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

Biomarkers: Triple-negative breast cancer. Metastatic deposits were CK7 positive and negative for ER, HER2

Metastatic Site: parathyroid adenoma; ectopic thyroid adenoma /…

As of December 2025, she remained in complete remission 1 year after systemic chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer with occult metastatic deposits in parathyroid and ectopic thyroid adenomas.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
A patient, who was diagnosed with Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treated with pembrolizumab trial complicated by acquired lipodystrophy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: HER2-negative breast cancer. Metabolic changes occurred during/after pembrolizumab.

As of December 2025, breast cancer treatment had included neoadjuvant chemotherapy/pembrolizumab, surgery, adjuvant pembrolizumab, and endocrine therapy; CT did not show recurrence during weight-loss evaluation, but she required ongoing metabolic care for pembrolizumab-associated acquired generalized lipodystrophy.

PubMed Central
OutcomeCare Ongoing