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.

• Anal Cancer
• Brain Tumor
• Breast Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Head & Neck Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Pediatric Cancers

Anal Cancer

Surgical Technique Helps Woman Avoid Colostomy
When Lena Knezevich was diagnosed with anal cancer, she knew she wanted to come to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment. Doctors were able to shrink and remove the mass from Lena's lower anal canal, leaving her sphincter muscles intact -- sparing the need for a colostomy.

Brain Tumor

Drug Made from Scorpion Venom Keeps Patient’s Brain Tumor in Check
A drug derived from scorpion venom appears to be helping a 49-year old Tinley Park woman beat the odds. Diagnosed in December 2005, with a deadly glioblastoma multiforme, Donna Van Ryn has lived almost three times the median survival of 15 months--and feels fine.

Breast Cancer

Former High School Principal Finds Correct Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer
In the world of breast cancer survival, Shirley Mertz has come a long way by battling for 17 years. University of Chicago oncologists tailored Mertz's treatment according to the biology of the tumor--an approach that reversed the course of her cancer. "I know that I would not be here today if it were not for the skill and expertise of Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade and the other specialists and nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center," says Mertz.

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.

Lung Cancer

Active as Ever--a Decade After Lung Cancer Surgery
Watch Jeanie Dallas exercise and you'd never suspect that she faced and conquered lung cancer more than 10 years ago. Her only reminder of cancer is a small scar from surgery and annual visits to the University of Chicago Medical Center to monitor her for cancer recurrence.

Minimally Invasive Surgery a 'Lucky' Option for Woman's Early-Stage Lung Cancer
In an ironic way, Barbara Arvia is grateful for the bunion on her foot. Preparation for foot surgery led to a surprising diagnosis of lung cancer--and to state-of-the-art treatment with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Barbara's surgery was performed through three small incisions, which resulted in a shorter recovery and a faster return to her busy lifestyle.

Man with Lung Cancer Rides to Clear Recovery
Surgery for carcinoid tumor of the lung hasn't prevented John Williams from taking 15-mile bike rides along Lake Michigan's shoreline.

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

Courageous Young Man Wins Long Battle Over Two Sarcomas
At five years old, Kyle Harvey was treated for rhabdomyosarcoma. Ten years later, he fought osteosarcoma. Kyle's positive attitude kept him going throughout his long battle with cancer. Today, he's attending college in Alabama. "Kyle is a remarkable person," says orthopaedic surgeon, Rex Haydon, MD, PhD, a member of Kyle's treatment team.

Clinical Trial Helps Girl with Neuroblastoma
A clinical trial enhanced neuroblastoma care for 3-year-old Madison. More than a year after Madison's diagnosis and initial treatment, she is back in school. "We really feel that clinical trials represent state-of-the art therapy for children with cancer," says neuroblastoma expert Susan Cohn, MD, who helped design the clinical trial.

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.

Familial Cancer Clinic Helps Families Make the Most Important Decision
Marc Myers survived a bout with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child. But years later, Marc's growth slowed, and he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. However, the decision to treat his deficiency was complicated by a family history of colon cancer. If Marc inherited the cancer mutation, he could not have growth hormone treatment. Dr. Kenan Onel recommended a full assessment at the Familial Cancer Clinic to determine the best options for Marc.

Team Approach, Early Intervention Save Girl's Sight
In 2002, Jenna Jongsma was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that can affect vision, growth and development. In Jenna's case, the condition also led to the development of an optic glioma, a tumor that threatened her sight. Comer Children’s Hospital specialists in oncology and neurology worked together with Jenna’s community physicians to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

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. More than ten years later, she's thriving.