Stage 4 kidney cancer survivor thankful he chose UT MD Anderson
Roberto Gonzalez was diagnosed with stage 2 renal cell carcinoma in September 2020. He had a radical nephrectomy to remove his left kidney. For the next few years, scans showed no evidence of disease.
Then, in early 2025, Roberto went to the emergency room for chest pains. A CT scan showed suspicious findings. A second CT scan revealed tumors in the lymph nodes near his chest and left lung. Then he had a biopsy.
“The...
Metastatic melanoma survivor trusts UT MD Anderson’s expertise and research
Joe Eastin was first diagnosed with melanoma on his left ear in 2012. The Dallas resident had surgery at home to treat the cancer and two...
Lung cancer survivor finds care, support and connection at UT MD Anderson
When Daniel West was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2022, he was shocked. Not only had he quit smoking in 2006, but he was fit, active...
Proton therapy helps survivor overcome two cancer diagnoses
In early 2022, Phil Sprick noticed a lump behind his cheekbone while shaving. He visited his ear, nose and throat doctor a few weeks later and eventually had surgery to remove what was believed to be a benign tumor in his right parotid gland.
“After the surgery, I was declaring victory,” recalls Phil, who was 65 at the time. “But two weeks later, I got a call from the doctor saying the biopsy results came back positive for cancer...
Stage III colon cancer survivor grateful for MD Anderson’s expertise
There was a point during colorectal cancer treatment when Tommy Allen didn’t think he was going to live. He was in pain 24 hours a day, the...
Clean scan compels patient to give back to UT MD Anderson
One day after receiving the most devastating news of his life, Scott Ferguson picked up the phone and called UT MD Anderson.
It was...
Prostate cancer survivor thankful for second opinion at MD Anderson
Bill Kish’s prostate cancer diagnosis came after his doctor felt something unusual during his annual physical. Blood work showed his PSA level...
Multiple myeloma and spine cancer survivor: ‘Always think about a second opinion’
In 2022, Emily Shults, then 47, had recently moved to Magnolia, Texas, from California, to be closer to family. During the move, she remembers...
Breast cancer survivor: ‘MD Anderson gave me my life back’
When Lucinda Rudolph was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in April 2020 after an annual breast cancer screening, she wasn’t given much...
Breast cancer survivor: second opinion led to correct diagnosis and treatment plan
Cancer is no stranger to Robyn Heid’s family. Robyn, the youngest of 10 children, lost a brother in 1992 to lymphoma and her father to prostate...