All articles tagged with #chemotherapy
Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been diagnosed with stage-4 colorectal cancer and will begin chemotherapy; he is hospitalized, and his family started a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs.
In a proof-of-principle trial, researchers transplanted cryopreserved prepubertal testicular tissue back into a man who had high-dose chemotherapy as a child; two grafts formed mature sperm, which were collected and frozen, marking the first time this approach restored sperm production in an adult and offering hope for biological children in childhood cancer survivors. The findings appear in a preprint and have not yet been peer‑reviewed, and UK trials are expanding the work with hundreds of patients potentially benefiting.
Mercy Health’s Springfield and Urbana Cancer Centers have begun the IMPACT clinical trial testing the Lilac Glove & Boot, a device that gently compresses the hands and feet during chemotherapy to potentially reduce chemotherapy‑induced peripheral neuropathy, a nerve‑damage side effect that can cause numbness, tingling, pain and impaired daily activities. Participants will use either the active device or a comparator and be closely monitored to help determine if this approach preserves function and quality of life for central Ohio cancer patients.
Josh Vintner-Jackson, 29, was dismissed as constipated for months before imaging revealed a colon tumor leading to stage 3 colon cancer; after surgery and rounds of chemotherapy, the cancer later spread to his lungs, making it a chronic condition he now manages while advocating for other young patients through a support group.
A 22-year-old woman, Kayley Boda, began vaping at 15 and was diagnosed with stage-three lung cancer at 21. After initial surgery to remove half a lung and a difficult chemotherapy, cancer returned in the lungs’ pleural lining with a pleural effusion, and doctors say she has about 18 months to live. She has stopped vaping, is urging others to quit, and her family is fundraising for experimental treatment in Germany to extend her life.
A 45-year-old woman with few symptoms undergoes a colonoscopy after screening age was lowered, discovers a tumor, and is later staged at 3B with lymph node involvement. She undergoes sigmoid resection followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy, facing delays due to COVID and severe side effects like neuropathy and hair loss, but is now cancer-free with ongoing six-month surveillance. The experience also reshaped her family life (she is now separated) and spurred advocacy and continued therapy.
In a Phase II trial with 86 chemotherapy patients, a home-based exercise program (EXCAP) significantly improved attention and perceived cognitive function, while low-dose ibuprofen offered some benefits but with inconsistent effects and possible short-term memory drawbacks; combining both showed added improvements, but exercise was the more robust intervention. Phase III trials are recommended.
Amy De Silva, a 39-year-old cancer nurse, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia while pregnant and underwent four rounds of chemotherapy starting in early 2025, facing sepsis complications and uncertain prospects for her unborn son. Despite doctors’ fears, her baby Chester was born six weeks early in June 2025 and thrived; Amy is now in remission and will have regular follow-ups for two years. Her twin brother is also raising funds for the hospital that treated her.
A 13-month-old in England was misdiagnosed with HPV and psoriasis after a rash; his mother pressed for further testing, leading to a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a rare cancer-like disorder. He has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and ongoing treatment, with a GoFundMe set up to cover costs and the hospital apologizing for the initial concerns.
A 22-year-old Philadelphia student mistook persistent itching, fatigue and night sweats for stress, but tests revealed a grapefruit-sized 10 cm tumor near her heart and a diagnosis of Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma. She underwent chemotherapy and is awaiting a follow-up scan to confirm remission; doctors note Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable with modern therapy and urge people to seek medical advice for persistent symptoms.
During a surprise Bermondsey outing, the Princess of Wales said she has cut back on alcohol since her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy in 2024, declining beer and cider in favor of a soft drink, and noting she must be more conscious of her drinking now while continuing her public engagements.
A West African fruit known as miracle berry, containing the glycoprotein miraculin, temporarily makes sour foods taste sweet and can help chemo patients overcome a metallic, metallic-tasting mouth (chemo mouth) for about 30–40 minutes, allowing meals to be enjoyed again. While not a cancer treatment, the berry can restore appetite and flavor perception; it’s commonly grown in Florida, sold in freeze-dried form, and even available on Amazon.
Berkshire Hathaway vice chair Charlie Munger criticized end-of-life cancer treatment as often pointless, costly, and driven by financial incentives, calling it ‘evil’ and ‘asinine’ to pour chemotherapy into patients who are essentially dead; he argued there’s a point when medicine should stop and contemplated broader U.S. healthcare reform ideas, including single-payer-style approaches, noting the large role of costs in the economy.
A 42-year-old man in the UK discovered via a toothache that he had an aggressive facial cancer. After a mass was found and a CT/biopsy confirmed stage 2 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, doctors said the tumor had eaten through his facial bone and was inoperable. He began chemotherapy in December but has paused after four rounds due to severe side effects, and he urges others not to ignore minor symptoms that could signal cancer.
Emma Herring, 22, from Durham, was repeatedly told chest pains were anxiety or a pulled muscle after several misdiagnoses. A later X-ray and CT scan revealed a 7cm chest tumor and a 4cm neck tumor, with cancer diagnosed as stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, prompting immediate chemotherapy and raising concerns about infertility due to treatment. She hopes her story encourages others to trust their instincts and seek a second opinion if symptoms are dismissed.