Stage IV HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Pilar's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive; HER2-positive

Pilar was living with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer, continuing systemic treatment with Zoladex, aromatase inhibitors, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab, and managing side effects with rehabilitation support.

Stage II BRCA1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Stephanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Stephanie Hargis, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative; BRCA1 mutation

Stephanie had Stage II triple-negative breast cancer with BRCA1 mutation, then a local recurrence in April 2023 without distant spread; after surgery, chemotherapy, Keytruda, radiation, and Lynparza, she remained in ongoing post-recurrence treatment.

BreastCancer.org (ES)Read more →

HER2-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: June's Patient Story

Patient Info: June Lee, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: HER2-positive / elevated HER2 in recurrent treatment context

June had DCIS treated in 2005 and a 2023 left-breast recurrence with lymph node involvement; after 6 months of chemotherapy and mastectomy with lymph node removal, she continued Phesgo injections.

BreastCancer.org (ES)Read more →

Stage IV breast cancer with brain metastasis responding to chemotherapy, Gamma Knife, and targeted therapy story

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Brain

After Stage IV breast cancer with brain metastasis, chemotherapy made the breast lump disappear within 2 months, Gamma Knife treated the brain tumor, and she continued molecular targeted therapy while living with little change in daily life.

Stage IV Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Katie's Patient Story

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

Metastatic Site: Stomach | Pelvis | Spine

Katie was living with metastatic ILC involving the stomach wall, pelvis, and spine while taking ribociclib (Kisqali) with letrozole, with improved stomach findings and stable spine metastases after 6 rounds.

Lobular Breast Cancer AllianceRead more →

Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Rhonda's Patient Story

Patient Info: Rhonda Martin, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive mutation

Metastatic Site: Brain; spine; hip bone; lymph nodes; cerebrospinal…

Rhonda Martin passed away on January 9, 2023 from complications of Stage IV EGFR-positive lung cancer, nearly 5 years after diagnosis in March 2018.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Linnea's Patient Story

Patient Info: Linnea Olson, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK mutation / ALK-rearranged lung cancer

Metastatic Site: Lungs / intrapulmonary disease

Living long term with Stage IV ALK-positive NSCLC; ALK-targeted clinical trials controlled disease for years but were described as disease control rather than cure.

Massachusetts General HospitalRead more →

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Elizabeth's Patient Story

Patient Info: Elizabeth Moir, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK mutation / ALK-positive

Metastatic Site: Liver; bones

Elizabeth passed away on August 27, 2021 at age 32 from complications of Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer, after earlier achieving a July 2019 scan with no evidence of disease on oral targeted therapy.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Jay's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jay Petri, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK mutation / ALK-rearranged lung cancer

Metastatic Site: Not reported

Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer treated through clinical trials at Mass General; he reported being cancer-free for nearly 1.5 years after going through 3 trials.

Massachusetts General HospitalRead more →

Sydney Stoner: Stage IIIB to Stage IV colon cancer with liver and lung involvement

Patient Info: Sydney Stoner, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

Progressed from Stage IIIB colon cancer to Stage IV disease involving the liver and lungs; treated with surgery/ileostomy/reversal, FOLFOX/FOLFIRI, lung radiation, liver ablation/resection, capecitabine, and ongoing Lonsurf + Avastin.

Fight Colorectal CancerRead more →

Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Duane's Patient Story

Patient Info: Duane Steiner, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive / ALK gene mutation identified by molecular or genomic testing

Living more than 6 years with incurable Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer, supported by targeted therapy, clinical-trial participation, Hope Lodge access, and periodic monitoring.

Stage III ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Michelle's Patient Story

Patient Info: Michelle Bos-Lun, Female | Stage III

Biomarkers: ALK-positive

Stage IIIB ALK-positive lung cancer responding to Lorbrena/lorlatinib, with cough improvement within days and first scan showing nearly 50% tumor reduction.

GO2 FoundationRead more →

EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Donna's Patient Story

Patient Info: Donna Thompson, Female, 40s

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive lung cancer reported during recurrence; initial tumor biomarker status not reported

Recurrent NSCLC after earlier Stage II surgery and limited chemotherapy; later EGFR-targeted therapy caused kidney failure, 2 new spots were radiated in July 2025, and new nodules are under watchful monitoring.

GO2 FoundationRead more →

Stage IV HER2-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Glenna's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Glenna, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2 mutation confirmed by blood and tissue biopsy biomarker testing

Stage IV HER2-mutated NSCLC with first-line chemotherapy failure, then ongoing Enhertu from September 2023 and official NED/no evidence of disease status.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Lexi's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 20 mutation

Metastatic Site: Bone — left leg and hip

Living with Stage IV EGFR exon 20 metastatic NSCLC involving bone, after chemotherapy, targeted therapy, a drug trial, and surgery to remove the primary lung mass; latest disease-control status is not clearly stated.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Bill's Patient Story

Patient Info: Bill, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 21 mutation

Metastatic Site: Spine; brain; hips/bone

Stage IV EGFR exon 21 lung cancer improved in brain and spine on osimertinib, but later lung-mass growth led to clinical-trial treatment; Bill remained active in advocacy and felt positive about progress.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Suzanne's Patient Story

Patient Info: Suzanne, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK mutation identified on tissue biopsy; blood biomarker test was negative

Metastatic Site: Not specified

Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer was stable for almost 4 years on alectinib before progression in mid-2023; Suzanne moved to brigatinib and radiation and was working toward stability again.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Donna's Patient Story

Patient Info: Donna Preston, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK mutation

Metastatic Site: Not specified

Living nearly 9 years after a January 2015 Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer diagnosis, with ongoing targeted therapy and good functional status; exact drug name is not reported.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Joanne's Patient Story

Patient Info: Joanne, Female, 60s

Biomarkers: EGFR exon deletion 19 mutation

Ongoing care after right upper-lobe resection, 4 rounds of chemotherapy, and daily Tagrisso for EGFR exon 19 deletion lung adenocarcinoma; formal stage is not stated in the story.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage I EGFR Lung Adenocarcinoma: Julie's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion

Ongoing care after Stage IB EGFR exon 19 lung adenocarcinoma treated with lower left lobectomy and Tagrisso/osimertinib, with CT and MRI surveillance; no recurrence/NED statement is explicitly provided.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Gerri's Patient Story

Patient Info: Gerri, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR-positive / EGFR-mutated

Metastatic Site: Not reported

Living actively with Stage IV EGFR-positive NSCLC after wedge resection and unnamed EGFR-directed targeted therapy, with major hiking and travel goals continuing after diagnosis.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Laura Greco: Stage IV Lung Cancer

Patient Info: Laura Greco, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK translocation / ALK-driven; MET amplification; EGFR amplification reported in brain tumor

Metastatic Site: Brain

Laura Greco passed away on July 14, 2024 after Stage IIIA ALK-driven lung cancer later metastasized to the brain and required repeated brain-directed treatment and targeted therapy.

Lung Cancer Research FoundationRead more →

Stage IV ALK Lung Cancer: Duncan's Patient Story

Patient Info: Duncan Edmonstone, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive / ALK+ mutation

Metastatic Site: Brain

Living 6 years after Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer with brain metastasis, doing well on ongoing alectinib targeted therapy with minimal side effects.

The Christie NHSRead more →

How Learning To Ask For Help Can Make Life With MBC Easier

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

Biomarkers: Not explicitly reported; HER2-targeted treatment with Herceptin and Tykerb reported

Metastatic Site: Brain; liver

Living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer involving brain and liver; latest scans showed no evidence of disease, and she reported spending most of her Stage IV life in NED status.

breastcancer.orgRead more →