Case study
Stage IV lung cancer: the tumor shrank by over 70% after a change in treatment
- Patient
- Man, 69
- Diagnosis
- Lung cancer that had spread to the ribs (stage IV)
- Outcome
- Tumor shrank by over 70%; pain gone completely
Background
The patient was on chemotherapy for lung cancer, but after three cycles the disease kept progressing.
Within two months the tumor had doubled in size, and the cancer had spread to his ribs, destroying bone.
His condition was deteriorating, his pain was getting worse, and his blood tests were markedly abnormal.
Treatment
At that point he came to me for help.
Given how fast the disease was progressing and how unwell he was, the decision was made to change his treatment.
He was started on combination chemo-immunotherapy at reduced chemotherapy doses, along with medication to protect his bones.
In total, he completed four cycles.
Results
His pain eased considerably after the very first cycle, and he felt better with each cycle that followed.
A follow-up PET/CT after four cycles showed a marked improvement:
- The tumor had shrunk by more than 70%.
- The pain had gone away completely.
- He felt much better overall.
PET/CT before and after the change in treatment
Before the change in treatment
After four cycles — tumor over 70% smaller
PET/CT (fused image)
PET, whole-body view
The bottom line
Although his lung cancer was progressing and his condition was getting worse on the original chemotherapy, a change in regimen shrank the tumor dramatically and relieved his pain completely.
A case from my practice, published with the patient's consent. Results as of February 2022. Treatment outcomes vary, and a similar result can't be guaranteed for other patients.
