Metastatic Cancer Stories

After speaking to cancer patients and cancer patient advocates, it’s clear that no matter where the origin of the cancer, metastatic cancer patients share similar questions and experiences.

Find metastatic cancer stories from patients below. With emerging cancer treatments, the stories are changing all the time. If you have a story you’d like to contribute or have any feedback, we’d love to have it. 

Metastatic Breast Cancer Stories

Christina W., Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (De Novo Metastatic), HER2+, ER-



Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, head and neck felt swollen, clogged lymph nodes, appearance of a lump on the breast

Treatments: Monoclonal antibodies (trastuzumab, pertuzumab), radiation therapy

Deb O., Breast Cancer (De Novo Triple Positive and ER+ HER-)



Symptoms: First instance: appearance of lump that later on increased in size, orange peel-like skin around inverted nipple, persistent ache under right arm; second instance: appearance of lump

Treatments: First instance: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy; second instance: surgery (mastectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, CDK 4/6 inhibitor

Tammy U., Metastatic Breast Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Severe back pain, right hip pain, left leg pain

Treatments: Surgeries (mastectomy, hip arthroplasty), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapies (CDK4/6 inhibitor, antibody-drug conjugate)

Nicole B., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Appearance of lumps in breast and liver, electric shock-like sensations in breast, fatigue

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgeries (installation of chemotherapy port, mastectomy with flat aesthetic closure), targeted therapy (antibody-drug conjugate), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, lymphatic drainage

Dalitso N., IDC, Stage 4, HER+



Symptoms: Appearance of large tumor in left breast, severe back and body pain

Treatments: Surgery (hysterectomy), vertebroplasty, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, clinical trial

Marissa T., ILC, Stage 4, BRCA2+



Symptoms: Appearance of lump in right breast, significant fatigue, hot flashes at night, leg restlessness leading to sudden, unexpected leg muscle cramps

Treatments: Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, PARP inhibitor, integrative medicine

Janice C., Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Appearance of lump in left breast near sternum, fatigue, bone and joint pain

Treatments: Surgery (lumpectomy), radiation therapy (brachytherapy), chemotherapy

Dana S., IDC, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptom: Appearance of large lump in left armpit

Treatments: Targeted therapy, hormone blockers, bone infusions

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Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Stories

Lindsay D., Colon Cancer, Stage 4



Symptoms: Lump in pelvic area, funny-smelling food, weight loss
Treatment: Chemotherapy, colectomy (surgery)

Metastatic Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories

Amanda P., Relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptom: Sudden, unexplained weight loss

Treatments: Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant (autologous)
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Amanda P., Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Intense itching (no rash), bruising from scratching, fever, swollen lymph node near the hip, severe fatigue, back pain, pallor
Treatments: Chemotherapy (A+AVD), Neulasta

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CC W., Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Achiness, extreme fatigue, reactive rash on chest & neck, chills, night sweats
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (6 cycles)
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Amina V., Hodgkin Lymphoma, Stage 4B



Symptoms: Severe fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, bloating and stomach distension after eating, abdominal pain, little to no appetite, high fever, lump in the pelvic area
Treatment: Chemotherapy
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Lisa S., Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 4A



Symptom: Extreme lower back pain

Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy
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Metastatic Lung Cancer Stories

Megan F., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+ Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Chest pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, arm pain and swelling, back pain

Treatment: Targeted therapy (lorlatinib)
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Natalie B., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, severe cough

Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials, radiation therapy, surgery (double lung transplant)
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Stephanie K., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Persistent and intense cough, general feeling of sluggishness

Treatments: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy through a clinical trial, radiation therapy
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Jennifer M., Lung Cancer, EGFR+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: None per se; discovered during physical checkup for what seemed to be a sinus infection

Treatments: Radiation therapy (stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT), targeted therapy
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Laura R., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Persistent cough, fatigue, bone pain

Treatments: Targeted therapies (tyrosine kinase inhibitors or TKIs, including through a clinical trial)
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Ashley C., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, HER2+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Fatigue, breathlessness, persistent back pain, multiple rounds of bronchitis

Treatments: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy
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Metastatic Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories

Aleeshia T., Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4B



Symptoms: Severe fatigue, deep shoulder pain, ear pain with inflammation, abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, early fullness, nausea, difficulty eating, inability to urinate despite feeling an urgent need, internal bleeding, delayed period/bleeding, intense whole‑body pain leading to collapse

Treatments: Surgeries (emergency laparoscopic surgery with left ovary removal), chemotherapy (R‑CODOX‑M/IVAC), immunotherapy, hormonal therapy (to protect the remaining ovary)
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Stephanie V., Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL), Stage 4

Symptoms: Asthma/allergy-like symptoms, lungs felt itchy, shortness of breath, persistent coughing
Treatments: Pigtail catheter for pleural drainage, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), R-EPOCH chemotherapy (6 cycles)
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Stephanie R., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Elevated white blood cell count



Treatments: 6 months of rituximab + ibrutinib, 4 cycles of hyper-CVAD chemotherapy
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Sheryl B., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: (Over 15 years) Skin irritation from temperature changes, rising WBC levels, unexplained fatigue, retinal hemorrhage, hardened abdomen (from enlarged spleen)
Treatment: 6 cycles Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy
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Shari B., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4



Symptom: None; lymphoma discovered at unrelated doctor appointment
Treatments: 6 cycles R-CHOP, 5 cycles phase 3 trial of Velcade + Rituxan (normally for multiple myeloma), allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT)
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Shahzad B., Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Extreme fatigue
Treatments: R&B, R-ICE, R-EPOCH, CAR T-cell therapy (cell-based gene therapy)
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Sandy D., Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Persistent coughing, weakness, shortness of breath

Treatment: Chemotherapy
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Sammie F., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4
Symptoms: Chest pain, back pain, bump on neck, night sweats Treatments: Chemotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy...

Richard P., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Relapse Symptoms: Swelling in leg, leg edema Treatments: R-CHOP chemotherapy, clinical trial (venetoclax-selinexor)
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Paige C., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Weight loss, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Treatment: R-EPOCH chemotherapy
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Ashley P., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Feeling like holding breath when bending down or picking up objects from the floor, waking abruptly at night feeling “off,” one episode of fainting (syncope), presence of a large mass in the breast


Treatments: Chemotherapy, bridge therapy of chemotherapy and radiation, CAR T-cell therapy
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Nolan W., T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma (T/HRBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Debilitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms without a fever, swollen lymph node under the left arm

Treatments: Chemotherapy (R-EPOCH & RICE), bone marrow transplant
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Nina L., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Hip and lower extremities pain, night sweats
Treatment: Chemotherapy (R-CHOP)
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Nicky G., Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4
Symptoms: Fatigue, weight loss, lumps in the neck and groin

Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, platelet transfusion...

Mike E., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Persistent, significant back pain

Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy
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Mags B., Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Exhaustion, migraines, persistent coughs, swelling and discoloration in left arm
Treatment: Chemotherapy (R-CHOP, 6 cycles)
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Luis V., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Persistent cough, fatigue, unexplained weight loss



Treatment: Chemotherapy (R-CHOP and methotrexate)
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Laurie A., Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Frequent sinus infections, dry right eye, fatigue, lump in abdomen

Treatments: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radioimmunotherapy
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Kris W., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Pain in the side of the abdomen
Treatment: R-CHOP chemotherapy
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Kim S., Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptom: Stomach pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy (rituximab & bendamustine), immunotherapy (rituximab for 2 additional years)
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Jonathan S., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Severe shoulder pain

Treatments: R-CHOP chemotherapy, methotrexate, focal radiation, autologous stem cell transplant
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John S., Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptom: Swollen lymph nodes

Treatments: Clinical trial, chemotherapy
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Jason W., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Hives, inflamed arms



Treatments: Calabrutinib, Lenalidomide, Rituxan
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Harjeet K., Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell-Lymphoma (SPTCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Persistent, high fevers; red, tender rashes on legs
Treatments: High-dose chemotherapy, allogeneic stem cell transplant
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Anna M., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: a rRapidly growing, painless lump on the breast

Treatment: Chemotherapy
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Erin R., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) & Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain, blood in stool, loss of appetite
Treatments: Chemotherapy (Part A: R-CHOP, HCVAD, Part B: Methotrexate, Rituxan, Cytarabine)
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Emily G., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Pain in left knee

Treatments: Chemotherapy (R-CHOP and high-dose methotrexate)
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Emily S., Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Constant fatigue, tongue deviated to the left, abscess in right breast, petechiae on legs, night sweats, nausea and vomiting, persistent cough

Treatments: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, immunotherapy
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David K., Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4 Symptoms: Sharp abdominal pains, frequently sick, less stamina Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, clinical trial, autologous stem cell transplant...

Cindy M., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Itchy skin on the palms and soles of feet; yellow skin and eyes
Treatment: Chemotherapy (R-CHOP)
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Cherylinn N., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4



Symptom: None



Treatments: R-CHOP chemotherapy, rituximab
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Bobby J., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4



Symptoms: Fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes
Treatments: Clinical trial of ibrutinib + rituximab, consolidated chemo of 4 cycles of Hyper-CVAD
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Barbara R., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4



Symptom: Abdominal and gastric pain



Treatments: Chemotherapy R-CHOP, CAR T-cell therapy, study drug CYT-0851
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Ashlee K., Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Abdominal pain, night sweats, visible mass in the abdomen

Treatments: Surgery (partial colectomy to remove 14 inches of intestine), chemotherapy
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Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Stories

Cheyann S., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4B

Symptoms: Stomach pain, constipation, lump on the right side above pubic area
Treatments: Cancer debulking surgery, chemotherapy (carboplatin & Taxol, then Doxil & Avastin)
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Susan R., High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Pulling sensation when emptying bladder, abdominal pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel), surgery
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Jodi S., Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Extreme bloating, extremely tight skin, changes in digestive tract, significant pelvic pain, sharp-shooting pains down inner thighs, extreme fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy (pre- & post-surgery), surgery (hysterectomy)
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Metastatic Sarcoma Stories

Alicia B., Desmoid Tumor, Stage 4



Symptom: Lump in right armpit
Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, clinical trials, surgery, including forequarter amputation
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Metastatic Testicular Cancer Stories

Ryan L., Testicular Cancer (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Strange feeling in lower back one night, left testicle swollen to twice normal size

Treatments: Surgery (orchiectomy), chemotherapy

Andrew Ryan P., Testicular Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptom: Severe leg pain

Treatments: Surgeries (retroperineal lymph node dissection or RPLND, orchiectomy, lung resection), chemotherapy, stem cell transplant

Callan R., Testicular Cancer, Stage 3



Symptom: Lump in right testicle

Treatments: Chemotherapy (cisplatin, doxorubicin, BEP, GemTaxol, TopCaT), surgery (orchiectomy), clinical trial (BNT142)

Josh T., Testicular Cancer, Stage 3A



Symptoms: Pain in his chest, lower back, and abdomen; shortness of breath, especially during exercise; mass found on one testicle

Treatment: Chemotherapy

Ben F., Testicular Cancer, Metastatic Symptoms: Hard, swollen testicleTreatment: Surgery, laparoscopy, orchiectomy

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Metastatic Thyroid Cancer Stories

Jenna C., Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Stage 2



Symptoms: Hoarse voice, painful talking, lump in neck

Treatments: Thyroidectomy (entire removal of thyroid), radioactive iodine treatment
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Greg S., Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Stage 2



Symptoms: Fatigue, lump in neck near Adam’s apple

Treatments: Surgery (thyroidectomy), radioactive iodine therapy
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