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

Nina M., Metastatic Breast Cancer



Symptoms: Hardening under the armpit, lump & dimpling in the left breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (lumpectomy), radiotherapy, hormone-blocking medication, targeted therapy

Sherri O., Metastatic Breast Cancer, HER2+ & Colon Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, lump under armpit, not feeling herself
Treatments: Chemotherapy, Transfusions

April D., Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, BRCA1+



Symptom: Four lumps on the side of the left breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy (carboplatin, paclitaxel doxorubicin, surgery (double mastectomy), radiation (proton therapy), PARP inhibitors

Brittney B., Metastatic Breast Cancer
Symptoms: Lump in the right breast, inverted nipple

Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation

Bethany W., Metastatic Breast Cancer



Symptom: Lower back pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, maintenance treatment

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., Hodgkin’s, 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, Stage 4



Symptoms: Achiness, extreme fatigue, reactive rash on chest & neck, chills, night sweats
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (6 cycles)
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Lia S., Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 4A



Symptom: Extreme lower back pain

Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy
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Riley G., Hodgkin’s, Stage 4



Symptoms: • Severe back pain, night sweats, difficulty breathing after alcohol consumption, low energy, intense itching

Treatment: Chemotherapy (ABVD)

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Metastatic Lung Cancer Stories

Lisa G., Non-Small Cell, ROS1+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Persistent cough (months), coughing a little blood, high fever, night sweats
Treatment: Chemotherapy (4 cycles), maintenance chemo (4 cycles)
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Tara S., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Symptoms: Numbness in face, left arm and leg

Treatments: Targeted radiation, targeted therapy (alectinib)
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Metastatic Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories

Erin R., DLBCL & Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4



Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain, blood in stool, loss of appetite
Treatment: 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



Symptoms: Pain in left knee

Treatment: R-CHOP chemo (6 cycles), high-dose methotrexate chemo (3 cycles)
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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



Cancer details: Rare, <3% of all soft tissue tumors, more common in women
1st Symptoms: lump found in right armpit
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, targeted therapy, clinical trials, surgery, including forequarter amputation
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Metastatic Testicular Cancer Stories

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

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: bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP)

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: Thyroidectomy (entire removal of thyroid), radioactive iodine treatment
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