Stage IV colorectal cancer survivor: ‘MD Anderson gave me a second chance’

Jeff Williams has been an FBI agent for 22 years and was in good health when he underwent his first colonoscopy at age 50. At the time, this was the recommended age to begin regular colorectal cancer screening tests. Guidelines later lowered his age to 45.

He wasn’t worried, but changed his mind when he learned that a tumor had been found in his sigmoid colon.

“I never had any symptoms,” Jeff says. “I remember going home that day worrying that I had stage IV, but hoping that wasn’t the case.”

The next day, Jeff’s fears were realized when he underwent a scan at a major hospital near his home in Ohio. He was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs. There were four lesions on his liver and three lesions on his lungs.

“When I found out I had cancer, I thought maybe I could cure it,” he recalls.

Starting treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer

Jeff decided to seek treatment at a comprehensive cancer center near his home in Ohio. He underwent surgery to remove the primary tumor in his colon. In November 2019 he started the chemotherapy regimen FOLFOX (fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, leucovorin). He completed one cycle and scans showed that the chemotherapy had killed two small tumors in his liver and shrunk the other two. But the cancer in his lung grew and more tumors developed.

“My oncologist told me I was on the most aggressive chemotherapy regimen. If they couldn’t control the cancer in my lungs, I might only have six to nine months left to live,” Jeff recalls. .

Jeff’s oncologist ordered him to continue FOLFOX for one more cycle in hopes of removing the new tumor. But eventually, Jeff stopped oxaliplatin and switched to a different chemotherapy combination called FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan). This prevented the cancer from spreading, but the tumor in his lung remained.

“As I continued to undergo chemotherapy throughout 2020, I kept hearing the same thing from my doctors,” says Jeff. “We’re trying to get you operable. There’s too much tumor and it’s scattered all over the place. And if he can reduce it by one or two, he’ll be able to do this and that.”

Although Jeff’s scans every three months showed the tumor was not growing, doctors still did not think he was a good candidate for surgery.

In December 2020, I decided to get a second opinion.

MD Anderson expertise makes colorectal cancer surgery an option

Jeff wanted to go to another national comprehensive cancer center.

“We thought, ‘What’s the difference?’ and looked at some of the top institutions,” he says. “But I know that MD Anderson has been ranked No. 1 in cancer care in the nation for several years in a row. And I’m reading stories online about MD Anderson patients who have stories similar to mine. I read it there. I thought I should go there.”

Jeff had his first appointment at MD Anderson on January 5, 2021. He met with a gastrointestinal oncologist. Dr. Arvind DasariThoracic Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Reza Mehransurgical oncologist Dr. Chingwei Tseng

“Dr. Tseng said that although I had very advanced symptoms, he would do everything in his power to help me live a better life for longer,” Jeff says. “He said I was a candidate for surgery.”

In February 2021, Mehran underwent an unusual bilateral open heart surgery. He performed 24 wedge resections on Jeff’s lungs.

interventional radiologist Stephen Huang, MD, performed a liver ablation in March 2021, followed by another liver ablation in June 2021. In July, a thoracic radiation oncologist Joe Chan, MD, performed three rounds of stereotactic radiation therapy on Jeff’s right lung, killing three tumors. Jeff underwent another ablation in April 2022 to remove a new tumor in his liver.

take every opportunity to heal

Jeff was scheduled to begin chemotherapy after bilateral thoracotomy. But his care team decided his body needed to let his lungs heal.

“The first scan three months after surgery found no evidence of disease, but the second scan showed more tumor had developed,” Jeff says. “That was in the summer of 2021, so I have been receiving chemotherapy continuously for the past two years.”

Jeff entered a clinical trial for immunotherapy in April, but stopped the treatment after he started experiencing complications in his liver and colon. More tumors have recently developed in his lungs. He still has full confidence that his care team is doing everything possible to keep him healthy.

“That belief hasn’t changed since I came to MD Anderson,” he says. “I remember Dr. Tseng telling me that it was a great time in the world of cancer research and development. They were going to keep me alive until they found a cure.”

Living well with metastatic colorectal cancer

Jeff continues to receive chemotherapy locally every two weeks and returns to MD Anderson for scans every three months.

He is grateful that he has not experienced any side effects from surgery or chemotherapy. He was able to maintain an active lifestyle.

“Whether it was weightlifting, walking, or some type of cardio, I could do it,” he says. “It helps you reduce stress, stay healthy, and keep fighting.”

Immediately after his diagnosis, Jeff went through some dark days, but he credits his support system for getting him through the difficult times.

“My relatives and friends have been very supportive, and my wife and kids have been great,” he says. “md anderson Thanks to you, I am alive and growing. ”

Jeff is currently focused on connecting with others facing cancer by sharing his story.

“All I can control is how I take care of myself, the time I spend with my loved ones, and the best medical care I can get. That’s where I am.” md anderson” he says. “When another major cancer center told me I was inoperable and had less than a year to live, MD Anderson gave me a second chance at life. Four years later, I’m here. I am very blessed.”

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