Stage IV Cancer Vanishes After Chemotherapy in Remarkable Remission
IRVINE, CA – A 36-year-old man diagnosed wiht advanced colorectal cancer experienced a complete remission after undergoing chemotherapy, a result that even surprised his oncologist. The case, recently highlighted by Hurriyet, details the journey of Indiana resident, Kissell, who faced a grim prognosis but ultimately achieved a full recovery.
Kissell’s diagnosis revealed seven small tumors in his liver, tumors in his lymph nodes, and a primary tumor in his large intestine. Initially,he expressed fear,especially regarding the financial burden of treatment. Though, he found strength in his close-knit family and community, who provided unwavering support, even bringing him food during his treatment.
Following four rounds of chemotherapy, scans revealed a stunning growth: all seven liver tumors and those in his lymph nodes had disappeared. The primary intestinal tumor had significantly shrunk. This prompted a shift in his treatment plan, with doctors opting to complete 12 rounds of chemotherapy before surgery. Ultimately, all signs of cancer vanished.
“Neooadjuvant chemotherapy – using chemotherapy to shrink cancer cells before surgeries - can sometimes lead to effective remission,” explained Dr. Pashtoon Kasi, Medical Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at city of hope in Irvine, California, in a statement to Business Insider. He noted that while effective in roughly one-third of his patients, a complete remission after neooadjuvant chemotherapy is “very rare.” Dr. Kasi emphasized that reducing tumor size with chemotherapy can improve surgical outcomes, even when a small tumor remains near vital blood vessels.
Kissell’s case was particularly remarkable, as his doctor stated he was the first patient to respond to chemotherapy in such a dramatic way.
Nearly nine years post-treatment, Kissell remains in remission, undergoing annual check-ups with his oncologist. He admits the transition back to normal life was challenging. “The situation was very bad in the beginning. I was looking for my oncologist if my finger was painful. It took too long to overcome it,” he said.
The experience profoundly shifted his perspective, particularly regarding the importance of family. ”He didn’t like to take pictures in the past, but this has changed with cancer. Fortunately, I could save many moments in the last eight years. I wish to accumulate more,” Kissell shared.
this case underscores the potential of chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer, while also highlighting the critical role of support systems and the enduring impact of a cancer diagnosis on a patient’s life.
