Cancer Patient Stories

Every year our physicians and staff care for many patients with cancer. We're proud to share some of their stories with you.

Breast Cancer

Physicians Use MRI to Detect Early Breast Cancer (Windows Media Video)
Thanks to expert University of Chicago physicians and advanced MRI imaging techniques, Debbie Bricker's breast cancer was detected at an early stage and treated successfully.

Heidi's Story: Cancer Risk Clinic Eases Fears
A cancer prevention plan helped ease Heidi's fears about breast cancer risk.

Teressa's Experience at the Breast Center (Video)
In this video, Teressa McKinney shares her experiences as a Breast Center patient. Here she speaks about the patient-centered care and team approach that helped her through her bout with breast cancer.

Esophageal Cancer

Man Avoids Losing Esophagus to Cancer
When Tom Flint's Barrett's esophagus condition deteriorated into cancer, doctors at another hospital told him he had only one option--removal of the esophagus. Before considering such life-altering surgery, Tom turned to University of Chicago experts who used advanced minimally invasive techniques to treat the cancer and spare his esophagus.

Head & Neck Cancer

Combination Therapy Saves Chef's Tongue from Cancer
When famed Chicago chef Grant Achatz was diagnosed with tongue cancer, several doctors told him that his only treatment option was the removal of most of his tongue. Faced with a career-threatening decision, Achatz sought help from University of Chicago cancer specialists who developed a combination therapy plan that spared Achatz’s tongue from surgery and put the cancer in remission.

Kidney Cancer

Robotics Aid Surgeons in Operating Room
Using advanced robotic technology, surgeons removed a cancer-bearing kidney through tiny incisions.

Leukemia

Acute Leukemia: Damon's Story (Video)
In this video, Damon Sinars describes the patient-focused leukemia treatment he received at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Lymphoma

Doctors Unlock Cancer Patient's Medical Mystery
Jim Cunningham had a rare, severe allergic reaction during treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. University of Chicago physicians discovered the source of the problem and customized Jim's treatment plan to get him on the road to recovery.

Pancreatic Cancer

Complex Surgery Helps Woman Beat Pancreatic Cancer
Diana Bohentin had a complex surgery--called the Whipple procedure--to treat her case of pancreatic cancer. Three years later, she's doing well and is enjoying life with family and friends.

Second Opinion Brings Michigan Woman to Expert Surgeon
After having gallbladder surgery, doctors in Michigan suspected that Georgann likely had pancreatic cancer. A second opinion at the University of Chicago Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology confirmed the diagnosis that led to a successful Whipple surgery. More than five years after the surgery, Georgann is keeping healthy with regular exercise.

Expert Care Help Couple Hit Landmark Anniversary
When Levita was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, another Chicago hospital told her that she had less than a year to live and her cancer was beyond treatment. Rather than give up hope, Levita sought help from University of Chicago cancer experts who offered the treatment options and support she needed to continue her fight against the disease.

Good Health, Great Surgeons Give Pancreatic Cancer Patient a Second Chance
After having the Whipple procedure to treat pancreatic cancer, 81-year-old Norma Langellier is back to her active lifestyle that includes daily walks. Though many doctors may consider people like Norma to be too old for the Whipple procedure, our experienced surgeons have found that they can safely and effectively perform this life-saving surgery on reasonably healthy people, regardless of age.

Pediatric Cancers

Novel Technique Used to Remove Tumor in Infant's Liver
Just months after her birth, infant Chloe Lobins had surgery to remove part of her liver due to hepatoblastoma, a type of liver cancer. Little Chloe is believed to be the smallest infant ever to undergo a massive liver resection for a primary liver cancer.

Precision Teamwork for Metastasized Brain Tumor Provides a New Lease on Life
At age five, Arusha Pratt was diagnosed with a malignant pineoblastoma--a type of brain tumor. Teamwork and an aggressive treatment plan saved her life. Ten years later, she's thriving.

Familial Cancer Clinic Helps Families Make the Most Important Decision
For teen Marc Myers, a personal history of leukemia and a family history of colon cancer complicated decisions regarding his care for human growth hormone deficiency. Marc's family turned to the experts of the Familial Cancer Clinic to assess the risks.