Donna J. Gainer fuels her active lifestyle of hiking, bicycling and gardening with a health-conscious diet of mostly whole foods. So, when the 64-year-old received news that she had colorectal cancer in autumn 2025, a wave of emotions hit her.

"My first thought was the heartbreak I felt knowing I would have to call my son to tell him about the cancer diagnosis," recalls Donna. "My second thought was shock that I could have developed cancer with my lifestyle. A cancer diagnosis did not make sense."

Colon cancer screening

Donna's journey began in June 2025 after a colon cancer screening returned abnormal results. Her primary care physician then referred her to Mayo Clinic's Gastroenterology Department for a diagnostic colonoscopy, which identified two polyps in the bends of her colon and one near her appendix.

The complexity of Donna's colonoscopy results prompted further consultation with Dr. Michael Wallace, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. Dr. Wallace shared that, in many cases around the world, large polyps at difficult-to-reach locations in the colon are typically removed surgically.

"Fortunately, here at Mayo Clinic, we have sophisticated techniques for removing even these advanced and large polyps through endoscopy or colonoscopy," says Dr. Wallace.

A review of Donna's case with a multidisciplinary care team led to a plan using two advanced treatments that reduced the risk of recurrence while mitigating the need for more intensive surgery: endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection.

Dr. Vivek Kumbhari, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, partnered with Dr. Wallace on Donna's care.

"Care like this is never delivered in isolation. Before the procedure, Dr. Wallace and I carefully reviewed her case and determined that a comprehensive, single-session approach was in her best interest," says Dr. Kumbhari. "That level of collaboration ensures that every decision is thoughtful, evidence-based and tailored specifically to the patient. It's one of the defining strengths of Mayo Clinic."

Donna underwent her comprehensive endoscopic resection at Mayo Clinic in November 2025. She recalls feeling less apprehensive about undergoing the resection than the colonoscopy, citing the thorough yet compassionate care from Dr. Wallace and confidence in Dr. Kumbhari's expertise and ability to operate inside the colon.

"I felt really special that (Dr. Kumbhari) was the one doing my surgery," says Donna. "What meant the most was how warm and reassuring he was when he sat with me before surgery and explained everything. I felt truly blessed to have him as my surgeon."

During the single outpatient procedure, Dr. Kumbhari removed all three polyps without incisions, preserving Donna's organ function and quality of life.

"That is exactly what modern, patient-centered cancer care should look like," says Dr. Kumbhari. 

In a final review of Donna's case, her care team concluded that since Dr. Kumbhari removed all three polyps in one outpatient procedure using advanced techniques, further surgery and its associated risks — including sphincter injury, incontinence or colostomy — were not needed. Donna remains under close surveillance by Dr. Wallace, undergoing endoscopic ultrasound, CT scans and lab work every 90 days.

Since her procedure, Donna has returned to the lifestyle she enjoys, including her outdoor activities.

"I continue to live each day with gratitude, and I am humbled to have two brilliant and skilled surgeons who truly saved not only my colon, but my life," says Donna. "I was back to my daily routines within 24 hours, sometimes forgetting that I underwent a 3-hour procedure."

Donna raises awareness about colorectal cancer by sharing her story in the hope of inspiring even one person to get a screening colonoscopy, even if they consider themselves healthy.

"I want people to know that colon cancer is one of those diseases that can grow silently, without symptoms," says Donna. "Imparting that message is worth sharing a personal and private part of my life."

The post When a healthy life meets an unexpected colon cancer diagnosis appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Precision medicine is rapidly transforming modern healthcare. It's a personalized approach that tailors prevention and treatment to each individual — moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all model.

Colorectal cancer is one area where precision medicine is reshaping the standard of care for patients like Eric Minnesota. 

At 56, Eric was training for an Ironman triathlon when he got a devastating diagnosis — stage 3 colorectal cancer. 

Eric is sharing his inspiring story to raise awareness for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Watch: Transforming colon cancer care through precision medicine

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (3:10) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic" – Read the script.

Man on a mission

Eric has been an athlete his whole life. He's a soft-spoken man with a gentle demeanor and a never-give-up attitude that defines everything he does. "I've competitively raced mountain bikes for the last 20 years," says Eric. "I'm an outdoors person...hiking, fishing, camping, anything outdoors is what I really enjoy."

Eric's dream has long been to compete in an Ironman triathlon, one of the toughest endurance events in the world. Competitors must complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. That's 140.6 miles in one day.

"From a health point of view, I thought I was nearly at the top of my game based on my age," says the Arizona man. "I've been healthy my whole life — no surgeries, no broken bones...I've never taken a sick day from work in my 25-year career."

Toughest challenge yet

Eric was in the midst of training for Ironman Arizona. All was going as planned. Then one day, Eric began having stomach pain. He went to his doctor who delivered a diagnosis Eric never expected.

"He discovered a significant mass. He relayed to me that I should see a colorectal surgeon as soon as possible to have it evaluated and find out what the next steps should be," recalls Eric. Soon after, Eric got his official diagnosis — stage 3 colorectal cancer.

"The plan was to remove my colon and replace it with an ostomy," says Eric. An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows waste to exit the body into a bag. It may be needed after colon surgery so the body can eliminate waste.

In preparation for surgery, Eric and his wife, Paula, turned to Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "The doctor at Mayo said a team of specialists would convene as a group to review my case. Mayo was quicker than I ever imagined. The following week they called me to discuss my treatment plan," says Eric.

Hope through innovation

Mayo Clinic's treatment plan included more than surgery as an option. The team explained that by using precision medicine, they were able to determine Eric was a candidate for a nonsurgical approach to treatment called immunotherapy.

"By performing genomic sequencing on the patient's blood and the tumor, we were able to identify a precision treatment approach, including immune therapies, that can sometimes allow a patient to avoid the need for complex and life-altering surgeries," says Dr. Jewel Samadder, a gastroenterologist and cancer geneticist with Mayo Clinic's Early Onset and Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancers Program.

Immunotherapy works by using the body's own immune system to fight the cancer. The nonsurgical treatment is delivered in a series of treatments by IV infusion. "The treatment is surprisingly easy. To be truthful I feel guilty based on the type of treatment that I had for my cancer versus what other individuals go through. It's just a simple infusion that takes less than an hour start to finish," explains Eric.

Crossing the finish line

Eric crossed the finish line of his immunotherapy treatment in six months. The results were a success. A colonoscopy following treatment showed the cancer was gone. "I won the lottery," says Eric. "The stars aligned with my markers and the care team had the expertise. It was incredible. It was all a perfect fit."

"This is a perfect example of why patients come to Mayo Clinic and see multiple physicians in our multidisciplinary cancer clinics and our early-onset program so that we can understand the cause of their cancer, determine the best treatment approaches, including clinical trials, and sometimes avoid complicated life-altering surgeries when possible, as in this patient's case," says Dr. Samadder.

"As soon as we heard about immunotherapy, we had to try it. This aligned with his goals. I'm just over the moon," says Paula.

Eric was able to keep working and training throughout his treatment. He says his only side effect was mild fatigue. "We spent a lot of time together as a family. Just being able to maintain that quality of life through the treatment was irreplaceable. You just can't put a price on that," says Eric.

"We are so grateful to everyone at Mayo Clinic, especially our oncologist Dr. Christina Wu," says Paula. "I would be lost without her. Thanks to Dr. Wu, I have my husband here with me today."

Celebrating life and love

Eric is back to working on his dream of one day becoming an Ironman triathlete. "Giving up is never an option," says Eric. "You have to turn on the switch, and keep going."

As Eric and Paula celebrate life, they are also celebrating their love. "We just had our 32nd wedding anniversary. These moments, these struggles together, it all has just made us stronger." says Eric. "I'm grateful for Mayo, for everything. I came out a better person."

Related stories:

• Eric and Paula Minnesota with a special message to Mayo Clinic
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Inside a colonoscopy
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Warning signs of colorectal cancer in younger adults

The post Transforming colon cancer care through precision medicine (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A multidisciplinary surgical team at Mayo Clinic has successfully treated an exceptionally rare and life-threatening cancer that invaded a patient's heart and airway. The procedure combined advanced cardiac surgery with complex airway reconstruction and represents a significant achievement in modern cancer care. 

Tami Channel's thyroid cancer was so advanced that her family had begun planning hospice care. The tumor had severely compromised her airway and had encased her carotid artery and jugular vein, two of the body's most vital blood vessels.  

Primary cancers of the heart are extremely rare. Most tumors that appear in the heart are benign, and malignant cardiac tumors such as sarcomas account for only a small fraction of all cancers. Airway tumors involving the throat or trachea are also uncommon and often detected late because early symptoms can resemble routine respiratory issues. When a malignant growth extends into both the heart and the airway, the risks multiply quickly because the tumor can narrow or block breathing passages and interfere with the heart's ability to function. 

Faced with a tumor that had grown into vital structures and left the patient's airway nearly the width of a toothpick, the care team, including Mabel Ryder, M.D., a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, and Eric Moore, M.D., a Mayo Clinic head and neck surgeon, recognized that conventional treatment would not be enough. Tami needed a highly complex surgery — and it needed to happen quickly. As a matter of priority, Tami would undergo an unscheduled thoracotomy and bypass, an emergency open-chest operation that requires opening the chest cavity, supporting circulation through a heart-lung machine, and working around critical airways and blood vessels. Few hospitals could coordinate such a demanding procedure so quickly. 

"We were able to make it happen because it needed to be done," Dr. Moore says. "That's the Mayo difference." 

The operating room reflected Mayo's integrated model: anesthesiology, perfusion, bronchoscopy, cardiothoracic surgery, and head and neck surgery, with each discipline contributing seamlessly. 

"It felt like a choreographed ballet," Dr. Moore says. "This kind of multidisciplinary precision doesn't just happen — it's the Mayo model in action." 

During the same operation, specialists reconstructed the airway to restore safe breathing. Procedures of this complexity rely on close coordination among cardiac surgeons, thoracic and airway surgeons, ear, nose and throat specialists, anesthesiologists, oncologists, and critical care teams. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center experts are uniquely positioned to manage these cases because they can move quickly from diagnosis to complex surgery and recovery. 

This successful intervention shows what is possible when specialists collaborate on rare cancers that cross organ systems.  

### 

About Mayo Clinic  
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

About Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center   
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center is defining the cancer center of the future, focused on delivering the world's most exceptional patient-centered cancer care for everyone. At Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, a culture of innovation and collaboration is driving research breakthroughs in cancer detection, prevention and treatment to change lives.  

Media contact:  

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu  

The post Mayo Clinic integrated care enables treatment for rare, complex cancer      appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

As a "Cake Wars" champion, Ann Alaboud knows that victory takes determination. While facing her biggest foe — stage 4 stomach cancer — she chose Mayo Clinic as her ally.          

Although it was February, Ann Alaboud was decked out for Christmas — green apron, bright red lipstick and a sparkly elf hat. She was filming an episode of Food Network's "The Big Bake: Holiday," and her team had just constructed a towering Christmas tree cake. 

As Ann walked off set, she suddenly veered left — her only warning before fainting.    

"I woke up to the paramedics trying to figure out what was wrong with me," recalls Ann.  

They chalked it up to fatigue. But Ann had a deepening sense that something wasn't right. For years, she'd been breaking out in hives, and she was perpetually exhausted. Not long after filming ended, she noticed a strange pinching sensation in her stomach.  

As a Minneapolis baker running two cupcake shops, it'd been easy to blame her symptoms on her busy lifestyle. After fainting, Ann knew she needed to seek care.  

Despite multiple hospital visits, the only diagnosis she received was reflux.  

When her 9-year-old daughter asked, "Mommy, do you have cancer?" Ann pushed harder for answers. On April 8, 2022, she woke up from an endoscopy to terrifying news. Her stomach was riddled with tumors. "They said it had already spread, and they couldn't do anything," she says.  

A scan on her birthday confirmed the diagnosis — stage 4 stomach cancer.  

"It was the shock of a lifetime. I'm a very health-conscious person," says Ann. "My family was like, 'What? You get stomach cancer?'"  

From ambition to uncertainty  

Before Ann was a baker, she was a business analyst. Then, in 2011, she made her first artistic cake for her baby shower. As she shaped a pair of sugary booties, she felt inspired to turn her unused culinary degree into a career.  

Five years later, Ann had opened her first bakery and won Food Network's "Cake Wars," which led to "The Big Bake: Holiday" in 2022. Shortly after filming, she added another bakery location — just a week before finding out she had cancer.    

"That's when everything went downhill," she says. 

Instead of investing in her business, Ann found herself fighting for her life.  

Moving to Mayo 

Due to the severity of her disease, Ann's local oncologist referred her to Mayo Clinic. While others deemed her stomach cancer inoperable, Dr. Travis Grotz, a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, still saw hope.    

With gastric cancer spiking among younger people, his patients are often in the prime of life, facing late-stage disease with little chance of a cure through traditional treatments.    

"For stage 4 gastric cancer, it's usually indefinite chemotherapy," he says. "But with research and a multidisciplinary team, I thought we could safely push the envelope."  

He designed an innovative care plan based on a clinical trial.  

Back at home, Ann started chemotherapy and immunotherapy to shrink her tumors. She closed her bakeries as needed and traveled to Mayo for laparoscopic operations to track her progress. 

Often arriving with cupcakes for the care team, Ann also brought ample gratitude and positivity — even as her number of procedures climbed into the double digits. 

She was willing to do whatever it took to have a good outcome," says Mary Dorn, one of her nurses. 

At times, Ann was tempted to waver. She recalls writing down account numbers to prepare her husband for her passing. "I started crying and said, 'You know what? I'm going to get better. I can't die young,'" she says. "So I just powered through one surgery after the next."  

As one part of her innovative care plan, Dr. Grotz used hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to wash her abdomen with heated drugs, destroying lingering cancer cells. He also removed her stomach to prevent a relapse. It was during this surgery that Dr. Grotz made a startling discovery — Ann had new tumors in her esophagus. 

She'd recently begun experiencing crushing chest pain during chemotherapy. Now Ann wondered: Had this been a warning sign? She'd thought treatment was nearly over, but the next day, she'd need surgery to remove her esophagus and add a feeding tube.  

As Ann reeled, Dr. Grotz reassured her that long-term survival was still the goal. "I trusted everything he told me because everything he'd done so far was great," says Ann. "He's phenomenal."  

Restoring normalcy  

After her esophageal surgery, the focus shifted to restoring Ann's quality of life. Dr. Grotz wanted to give her back as much normalcy as possible. He turned to his colleagues for help.  

Two surgeons — one thoracic, the other plastic — created a new esophagus from part of Ann's small intestine, called the jejunum. After severing several attachments in her abdomen, they stretched it to her neck and connected it to her intact upper esophagus. Delicate microsurgery linked the intestinal blood vessels to those in her neck and upper chest.  

The complex, several-hour surgery was a success.  

Ann now had a working gastrointestinal tract, despite two missing organs, so she no longer needed the feeding tube that made her feel so sick. At last, Ann was able to eat again. 

"This kind of care is not possible without collaboration between our teams," says Dr. Samir Mardini, Ann's plastic surgeon. "So many people — surgeons, nutritionists, physical therapists, nurses — worked together to create an outcome that would be hard to achieve any other way."   

During her two-week stay in Rochester, Ann witnessed this care in action. "All the doctors, all the nurses — everybody — went above and beyond," she says. "I've never said, 'Thank you,' as many times as I did while at Mayo."    

Life beyond stomach cancer 

Three years later, Ann remains cancer-free. Now a long-term survivor, she's been able to hold onto the identities she cherishes most — mom, wife, baker, small-business owner.  

With her new GI tract, there have been changes. Ann has to slowly eat small portions, often while standing to keep the food moving. It takes effort to remember to chew every bite thoroughly.  

While this can be challenging, her most consistent feeling is gratitude.  

Ann is thankful for the prayers and support of loved ones. The customers who contributed to fundraisers. The landlord who gave her grace. The Mayo care team who fought alongside her.  

Most of all, she's grateful to be alive.  

"Winning 'Cake Wars' validated that I am a pastry chef. I can do anything I want, right?" Ann says. "But having cancer, thinking I wouldn't make it, then coming out OK — that is more victorious than anything."  

The post Minneapolis baker, ‘Cake Wars’ winner, defeats ‘incurable’ stomach cancer   appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Judge Audrey Moran is known for her strength and fairness in the courtroom in Florida's Duval county. But one of the most difficult cases she's faced is breast cancer that spread to the lining of her brain. 

With the help of a dedicated care team and precise treatment, Judge Moran is back on the bench, and recent scans show something remarkable. Alex Osiadacz (oh-SIGH-dus) has her story.

Watch: Back on the bench: Judge's metastatic breast cancer journey inspires hope

 Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:17) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"I work as a county court judge."

Judge Moran doesn't shy away from a challenge, whether in her legal career, solving issues in her community or even her health.

"We were treating the metastatic breast cancer in my abdomen about two years ago now. I began noticing that my balance wasn't very good, and then I started limping," she says.

Scans in early 2024 showed the cancer had spread to the lining of her brain and spine. Treatment would pose another challenge after Judge Moran developed an infection where a port would deliver chemotherapy into the lining of her brain.

"I said, 'We're going to have to figure something else out.' My wonderful oncologist, Dr. Pooja Advani, said she thought she had an idea because a new chemo had come out that she thought might be just the right thing for me," she says.

Instead of delivering treatment directly into the lining of her brain, Judge Moran's care team was able to deliver a newly approved therapy through her arm. The results were better than expected.

"The last scan I got of my brain, the results were that the brain cancer has resolved. And I got to tell you, I couldn't even believe it when I read it on my report," Judge Moran says.

"So many emotions but the biggest of gratitude, you know, to all the people that have worked as a part of her team," says Dr. Advani.

Follow-up appointments have confirmed that the treatment is still working for the metastasis in her abdomen. Beyond her diagnosis, Judge Moran remains active with her family and career.

She says, "You know, my life is back. I am at work. And I'm getting to do that work that I love."

In late September, Dr. Advani and Judge Moran had a chance to meet again.

"It almost brought me to tears to have seen how she was in 2024 when she was going through this journey and the remarkable clinical progress that she has made," Dr. Advani says.

Judge Moran adds, "I'd gotten to the point where I almost didn't want to try anything anymore, and she really helped me realize this wasn't the time to give up. It was time to keep going. And boy, I'm glad I did. I'm really, really glad I did."

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic leads 4 decades of advances in breast cancer care
• Mayo Clinic research improves dense breast cancer screening and early detection
• Top 10 questions about breast cancer answered
• Mayo Clinic treats first person in the US with a novel radiopharmaceutical therapy for breast cancer
• Mayo Clinic Minute: MRI for dense breasts — what to know
• Mayo Clinic Q&A: How to decide which breast cancer surgery is right for you

The post (VIDEO) Back on the bench: Judge’s metastatic breast cancer journey inspires hope appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

In April 2023, CV Rao had just returned from a work trip in Europe when he started experiencing abdominal pain on his right side. His wife, a doctor, recognized that he needed to see his primary care physician for an ultrasound scan. 

When the ultrasound didn't show anything, CV's care team ordered a CT scan. The results were alarming — a 7 centimeter tumor, the size of a large peach, was in his liver. 

"It was a shock to the system," CV recalls. 

The initial diagnosis suggested intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile ducts.

CV quickly received a PET scan, an MRI and a biopsy at a local hospital which confirmed those suspicions. Within eight days, CV was undergoing chemotherapy to shrink the tumor so he might be eligible for surgery.

After six cycles of chemotherapy, the tumor was reevaluated. The good news was that the cancer was responsive to chemotherapy, and the tumor had shrunk by about 50%. Unfortunately, because the tumor surrounded major blood vessels, local surgeons still deemed it inoperable.

Seeking a second opinion

Determined to explore all options, CV sought a second opinion at Mayo Clinic. 

"I was working on 3D printing investments and kept running into Mayo's innovative approaches," he explains. "Everywhere I looked, they had this 3D printing effort where the surgeons were able to visualize what they were operating on using 3D printed organs."

This led him to believe that Mayo Clinic could offer a solution.

A new hope

Six months after diagnosis, CV and his wife, Madhavi, sat across from Harmeet Malhi, M.B.B.S., a hepatologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

"We want to give every patient every chance. Undergoing surgery was his best chance at being tumor-free."

Harmeet Malhi, M.B.B.S.

After reviewing his imaging and personalized treatment plan with Dr. Malhi, CV and his wife met with Patrick Starlinger, M.D., Ph.D., a hepatobiliary and pancreas surgeon. 

"Dr. Starlinger looked at me and said, 'You came to the right place. We can help you with this,'" CV remembers.

All three liver veins appeared to be involved. This type of tumor usually is not removable because there must be at least one vein to drain the liver, according to Dr. Starlinger.

"We told him to continue chemotherapy to maximize his response, aiming to get the tumor even smaller. And then we planned for advanced, complex liver surgery."

Patrick Starlinger, M.D.

Although CV understood this would be a high-risk procedure, he remembers feeling reassured after speaking with Dr. Starlinger.

"Dr. Starlinger looked at his fellows and said, 'Would you say this is routine?' And they all said 'Yes, it's a routine surgery for us,'" CV says.

As a native of Austria, Dr. Starlinger explains, "In German, we have a word that means saying 'yes' to life, 'lebensbejahend,' and that's how CV approached this. Both CV and his wife had such positive attitudes and a willingness to fight this with all they had."

CV believes the same can be said of Dr. Starlinger's approach to his case. 

"The very first day, Dr. Starlinger walked in with a positive attitude, which is one of the things that you realize you absolutely need to get through things like this," CV says.

Resecting the unresectable

CV's surgery was scheduled for November 22, 2023, the day before Thanksgiving. 

To prepare for the operation, Dr. Starlinger turned to a 3D printed model of CV's anatomy, just like the ones that had led CV to Mayo Clinic.

"3D models are incredibly helpful in complex surgical procedures because they allow for optimized surgical planning prior to the actual surgery," Dr. Starlinger explains.

At 6 a.m. on Nov. 22, CV was taken back to the operating room for the complex, 4.5-hour surgery. 

"We carefully dissected through the liver until we approached the right hepatic vein, which was really the critical portion of CV's operation," Dr. Starlinger says. "We had everything prepared to reimplant the only remaining liver vein, but with meticulous precision, using an ultrasound dissection device, we were ultimately able to peel the tumor off the majority of the right hepatic vein and perform a primary repair of the vessel."

Dr. Starlinger and the surgical team removed roughly 50% of CV's liver, along with the entire tumor. The surgery was a success.

Experiencing cherished milestones

Nearly two years after his diagnosis, CV is returning to the activities he loved. He has resumed skiing, attended his younger son's robotics competitions, and even traveled to Switzerland and Austria with his wife. 

"I can't wait to see my older son graduate and drop him off at college," he shares with a smile. "We are in a stage of life where a lot of life events are happening. It's amazing to do these things that are important to the family."

These moments, once clouded by uncertainty, are now cherished milestones.

Reflecting on his care at Mayo Clinic, CV expresses deep gratitude to the team that provided him with expert and compassionate treatment. 

"The Mayo Clinic staff is beyond what we've experienced elsewhere," he says. "During my seven days in the hospital, we interacted with many nurses, and through changes in shifts, it was just a uniformly amazing experience. Every, every single person we came in touch with was such a positive experience."

"We wish Dr. Starlinger the longest career possible because the number of lives he has and will save is incredible," he says. 

Related post:

• (VIDEO) A rare cancer. A rare weapon. Curtis Jackson’s inspiring story of survival

The post Resecting the unresectable: The right place, the right team  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For most athletes, the road to the Olympics is paved with years of training and sacrifice. As professional tennis player Gaby Dabrowski was preparing for her 2024 season and a chance to play in the Summer Olympics, her journey took an unexpected detour. A diagnosis of breast cancer threatened her dream and her life.

What followed was a carefully coordinated plan at Mayo Clinic, designed not only to treat the cancer but also to preserve her ability to compete on the world stage.

Watch: Gaby Dabrowski's story

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (2:05) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"I started playing tennis when I was 7 years old," Gaby says. "Growing up, the Olympics were always on TV for two weeks in the summer, so it was always my dream to compete at the Olympics."

Heading into the 2024 season, Gaby was ready to realize her childhood dream. But when she found a lump on her breast, Gaby's focus went immediately to her health.

Dr. Jennifer Maynard, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician specializing in sports medicine, helped coordinate Gaby's care.

"We recommended a pretty urgent evaluation, as she was over 30, we wanted to get the mammogram and the ultrasound," says Dr. Maynard.

Those results were abnormal. A breast MRI followed, then a biopsy confirmed the lump was cancer.

"When I was diagnosed, I didn't know if I would be able to play tennis again," Gaby says.

"She knew her ultimate goal was to be an Olympian at the Paris Olympics, so we had to be innovative and think outside the box," says Dr. Maynard.

Gaby's care team had to consider how to treat her cancer in a way that avoided the muscles used in playing tennis.

In the spring of 2024, she underwent surgery, then targeted radiation. Treatment was successful, and Gaby was cancer-free.

"Even though I wasn't playing on court and playing the game that I love, it was like swapping in the care team as my partners," Gaby says.

As soon as her care team cleared her, Gaby resumed training. Her dedication paid off in Paris. Gaby and her doubles partner earned an Olympic bronze medal, living out a dream.

"When I was on the podium holding the medal, I really just felt full elation," Gaby says. "I didn't feel like it was just a win for me. I felt like it was a win for everyone: my best friends, my parents, my coaching team, my care team."

Gaby has continued to find success on the court in tournaments and off, as an advocate for personal health.

"I certainly have a newfound appreciation for playing a sport as my job, but at the same time, if you took it away from me right now, I'd be OK because I have my health, and that's the most important thing," Gaby says.

The post (VIDEO) Tennis champion shares journey from breast cancer diagnosis to Olympic medalist appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

September marks the start of soybean harvest in Mankato, Minnesota, a busy time of year when farmers can't afford to be away from their fields for long. So, when Craig Smith, 66, began experiencing a burning sensation while urinating, he went to his family physician right away.

He was prescribed antibiotics, but his symptoms worsened. When Smith began to pass blood, his wife insisted that they drive straight to Mayo Clinic in Rochester — about an hour and a half away. There, Mayo Clinic physicians diagnosed him with metastatic urothelial cancer, or bladder cancer, which had spread to his spine.

Smith recalls receiving a phone call late that night from his Mayo Clinic doctor, who asked him if he wanted to just maintain his health for a few years or cure his cancer.

"I said, 'I'd like you to cure it,'" says Smith.

Seeking a bladder cancer cure

Smith's father had been a farmer, which was his dream too. But his father suggested he gain additional skills to supplement his farming income. Following his father's advice and encouragement from his high school welding teacher, Smith pursued his teaching certificate in welding. What he initially thought would be five or six years of teaching turned into a 45-year career developing welding programs at several local schools while also raising cattle and growing soybeans and corn on his 2,000-acre farm. Through his welding programs, he has trained several welders now employed by local manufacturing companies.

After his diagnosis in 2023, Smith took a hiatus from teaching and farming to focus on his cancer treatments at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, which included chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.

Metastatic urothelial cancer that has spread beyond the bladder usually is considered incurable and inoperable. However, Smith responded well to chemotherapy and radiation to his spine, which made his oncologist, Jacob Orme, M.D., Ph.D., and urologist, Paras Shah, M.D., consider Smith for a new, surgical approach to treatment.

Smith proceeded with the proposed surgery and had his bladder, prostate and 36 lymph nodes removed.

"In Mr. Smith's bladder, we found viable cancer cells that would have led to a relapse. Now, however, he is nearly two years from diagnosis and remains disease-free," says Dr. Shah.

Smith's positive response to treatment and surgery has spurred a clinical trial testing this aggressive approach in other bladder cancer patients. Currently, 17 participants are enrolled, and the results so far have been promising.

Advances in cancer treatment, such as immunotherapy that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer and the identification of biomarkers in the blood or urine that show how well a patient is responding to treatment, are helping the physicians select who will benefit most from surgery.

"The impetus for this study is to attack the cancer from multiple approaches, including treatments that cover head-to-toe and treatments that are directed right at the source tumor," says Stephen A. Boorjian, M.D., who is the David and Anne Luther Chair of Urology at Mayo Clinic and a lead proponent of the study.

"We want to remove the root of the cancer after we've burned off the leaves," adds Dr. Orme.

A team of researchers, physicians and clinical trials staff expedited the clinical trial through an accelerated pathway called a Rapid Activation Trial. It's part of a larger effort at Mayo Clinic to launch new clinical trials swiftly and effectively.

"Shortening activation timelines allows us to make a difference to more patients and their families," says Michelle Monosmith, Mayo Clinic Office of Clinical Trials operations administrator.

The study is supported by a generous donation by Ronald J. and Carol T. Beerman to Mayo Clinic and has been prioritized by Dr. Boorjian and Chair of Oncology Elisabeth Heath, M.D., to achieve more cures for men and women with bladder cancer.

"Our only goal is to help our patients live better and longer," says Dr. Orme.

That's what Smith plans to do as he continues to farm, teach and spend time with his family.

The post Farmer inspires new potential bladder cancer treatment appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

When an aggressive lymphoma threatened to derail a couple's happily ever after, the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center helped them find a future.

Joanne McDonnell likens her longtime romance with her husband, Paul, to that of June Carter and Johnny Cash. The two have known each other since they were kids — specifically, third grade for Joanne and fifth for Paul. "She was my best friend's little sister," Paul explains. 

So, two years ago, when doctors told Joanne there wasn't anything else they could do for Paul's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma — an aggressive form of blood cancer — Joanne refused to believe their story was over.

"I know death comes for everyone, but I also knew it wasn't his time," she says.

Paul McDonnell learns his cancer is in remission.

Instead, Joanne, a retired human resources specialist for the Department of Defense, spent the next several months relying on two sources she'd come to trust: research and Dr. Madiha Iqbal, Paul's hematologist and oncologist at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

Facing hurdles

Paul learned he had cancer four years ago. He'd scheduled an appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist because he had swelling along the jawline on one side of his face. A biopsy a day or two later revealed it was lymphoma.

Initially, Paul underwent six months of chemotherapy-based treatments, but they weren't working well, so Paul's doctor, who knew Dr. Iqbal, referred him to her. Paul's doctor hoped that Dr. Iqbal, who specializes in bone marrow transplant and a form of immunotherapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, might be able to help.

Dr. Iqbal first considered a bone marrow transplant for Paul. Bone marrow transplant, also called stem cell transplant, involves replacing a patient's damaged bone marrow with healthy cells. However, Dr. Iqbal said she and her team became a "little hesitant about the transplant" when they started to encounter obstacles with the process. Paul's body wasn’t producing enough stem cells to use for a transplant and his bone marrow was showing signs of damage from the chemotherapy treatments he'd received. 

"These hurdles derailed the plans we had for him," Dr. Iqbal says. 

Then, the team found signs his lymphoma had spread.

A novel treatment for aggressive lymphoma

In the past, oncologists didn't have much to offer patients with lymphoma, specifically diffuse B-cell lymphomas, who'd had two chemotherapy-based treatments and still had disease, Dr. Iqbal says. Today, however, they have a new tool in CAR-T cell therapy. CAR-T cell therapy works by altering a patient's T cells, or white blood cells, so they can recognize and destroy cancer cells.

"CAR-T cell therapy has significantly changed outcomes for patients with aggressive lymphomas, especially for those whose disease isn't very responsive to chemotherapy," Dr. Iqbal says. "Close to half of patients who, in the past, would have succumbed to their disease, are now able to go on with their lives thanks to this innovative treatment."

Dr. Iqbal started the process for Paul to receive CAR-T cell therapy. Then she faced a major hurdle: Paul's cancer had metastasized, or spread, and a tumor had grown so big it had penetrated his bowel and ruptured it. Paul was admitted to the hospital in critically ill condition — too sick for CAR-T cell therapy, and too sick to even undergo surgery to repair his bowel. 

Instead, doctors placed a tube into his bowel for drainage and placed him on total parenteral nutrition, meaning he had to have all his nutrition delivered directly into his bloodstream.  

"It was a serious situation at that time," Dr. Iqbal says. "While hospice was discussed as an option, I knew Joanne didn't want to give up on him."

After talking with Joanne and Paul, Dr. Iqbal decided to pursue a treatment course that would help get Paul's disease under control so they could try CAR-T.  

Navigating a road forward

Although nervous, Joanne was grateful to have a potential path forward for Paul. "Dr. Iqbal educated us, gave us books, answered our questions," she says. "She never discredited anything we said or asked. She was a big help for me as Paul's advocate."

Dr. Iqbal prescribed two rounds of chemotherapy to get Paul's disease under control. Soon afterward, he began to feel better. His tumor had also shrunk enough that Dr. Iqbal's team was able to collect his cells, and, about a month later, infuse them back into his body to target and kill cancer cells. 

The therapy was successful.

"Paul was far from an ideal patient to go into CAR-T cell therapy," Dr. Iqbal says. "We never want to put a patient through an intensive treatment if they're not healthy enough to withstand it. But because we were able to give him that stabilizing chemotherapy treatment that got him into a bit of a better place, it provided us with a window of opportunity to go ahead with the CAR-T cell therapy. And he was lucky, obviously, that it's resulted in him having a long-term remission."

A year and a half after Paul’s CAR-T cell therapy, he still has no evidence of disease. "He's a changed man ever since," Dr. Iqbal says, noting Paul's quality of life has improved drastically.

Joanne agrees: "She saved Paul's life."

Now, the married couple of nearly 43 years is "trying to figure out how to live again," Joanne says. "I tell Paul every day that God spared him for a reason. Thank God Dr. Iqbal didn't give up on him."

The post New lymphoma therapy helps couple continue their love story appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

At just 19, Angela Bristow's life took an unimaginable turn. A college student with her future ahead of her, she was thrust into a world of MRIs, surgeries and grueling treatments when diagnosed with ependymoma, a cancer that typically affects the brain and spine. In her case, however, the tumor was located near her coccyx — an exceptionally rare location for this type of cancer.

"I'll never forget how difficult the recovery was after that first surgery to remove the tumor," Angela recalls. "I ended up with an infection while still recovering at home with my parents. I tried to go back to college afterward, but being away from my support system made everything so much harder."

Looking back on those early days, she shares, "Doctors didn't know what we were dealing with. I wasn't angry — I just kept going because that's all I could do."

Life regained some normalcy after her initial recovery. She met Chris — her future husband — and started planning a future. But less than a year into their marriage, the cancer returned, this time requiring surgery and 30 days of radiation. Two years later, the disease spread to her pelvic lymph nodes.

This marked a turning point. Angela sought a second opinion at Mayo Clinic, where her care team removed 13 lymph nodes, sparing her from further therapies. "Mayo became my anchor," she says. "For the first time, I felt like I wasn't fighting this alone."

Over the next two decades, Angela’s life became a cycle of surgeries, treatments and recoveries, as tumors returned every two years. Yet, she found strength in her "dream team" at Mayo Clinic, including her palliative care team, who are dedicated to easing suffering by managing symptoms associated with serious illness. Beyond medical care, they provide compassionate support to patients and their loved ones during life's most trying moments.

"I have the distinct privilege of supporting Angela as she navigates the challenges of living with cancer," Dr. Liz Sokolowski, Angela’s palliative care physician, says. "From our first meeting, I was deeply moved by her resilience and strength, and how she continues to maintain hope and her sense of humor. Patients like Angela are true heroes. They teach us daily about courage, and they remind us why we do this work."

Advances in treatment provided new hope. What began with surgeries and radiation evolved into cryoablation, thermal ablation and, more recently, oral chemotherapy. Even when the cancer metastasized to her lungs a decade ago, Angela faced each recurrence with determination, balancing the fear of the unknown with acceptance. "Cancer doesn't own me," she affirms. "It's part of my story but not the whole story. I'm still learning, still growing and still fighting. There's a reason I'm here."

Angela's journey is one of resilience, self-advocacy and profound partnership — with her care team and her family. Chris has been her unwavering support, whether staying overnight in hospital chairs or managing wound care. Their daughter, now a teenager, has grown up witnessing her mother's courage. "She was just 3 months old when she stayed in my hospital room. She's my light, and Chris is my rock."

Now, at 48, Angela speaks with heartfelt wisdom.

"I wish I could tell my 19-year-old self it will be OK. Cancer doesn't define life; it's just a part of it," Angela says. For those walking a similar path, she offers this advice: "Advocate for yourself, build a trusted care team, and don’t let cancer take more than it has to. You are stronger than you think."

Tips for navigating long-term cancer care

Managing cancer can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and mindset, balance and strength are possible. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment or in remission, here are Angela's practical tips:

1. Stay proactive with checkups.
   Maintain regular checkups with your healthcare team, even in remission. Work with your healthcare professional to set a personalized schedule for follow-ups and tests. Many hospitals offer apps or portals to help manage appointments and stay on top of your care.
2. Explore integrative therapies.
   Cancer care extends beyond medical treatment. Services like acupuncture, meditation or aromatherapy can help manage side effects and improve well-being. Ask your care team about available options.
3. Build a support network.
   A strong support system can make all the difference. Lean on family, friends or support groups to stay connected. If in-person groups feel daunting, consider online options or platforms like CaringBridge for sharing updates and receiving support.
4. Consider clinical trials.
   Clinical trials can offer access to innovative treatments and contribute to advancing cancer care. For patients with rare cancers like ependymoma, organizations like Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network (CERN) provide valuable resources and information about ongoing trials. Speak with your oncologist to explore research organizations that may help guide your treatment options.
5. Tap into health resources.
   Cancer education centers often provide free workshops, nutrition guidance and creative outlets like art therapy. These resources can keep you informed and engaged in your care.
6. Care for your emotional health.
   Therapy offers a safe space to process emotions and build coping strategies. If traditional therapy isn't for you, mindfulness practices like deep breathing or meditation can reduce stress. Activities like a walk in the park, a lunch outing or a favorite hobby also can lift your spirits.
7. Personalize your journey.
   Cancer is deeply personal, affecting everyone differently. Begin with one or two strategies that feel right for you, and gradually explore more as you're ready. Small, intentional steps can help you build a meaningful and well-supported life.

Angela's story is a reminder that while cancer may shape your path, it doesn't define your destination.

"No matter what, there is always more life to live, more love to give and more reasons to keep fighting," Angela says.

The post Living beyond diagnosis: Angela’s 30-year journey with ependymoma cancer appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.