Creating a Future After Stage 4 Kidney Cancer: Philip’s Immunotherapy Story

Philip Prichard was shocked when he learned he had a 3.8 pound tumor on his right kidney. www.cancerresearch.org
And when. after surgery and targeted therapy, the cancer spread, he and his wife Susan went looking for other treatment options. They found a clinical trial for immunotherapy, and Philip is now doing well. For more information, visit CancerResearch.org.

[@alanscully1578]

2.5 years ago i was diagnosed with kidney cancer. It was removed but then spread to lymph nodes and the lung after my kidney was removed. I was seen by an oncologist who after visits and the a tumer was now 4cm and given 2 to 2.5 to live. I was given the chance for a trial of immunotherapy and now I am 2 years in with no evidence of disease and have been for 2 scans/5 months. To be in remission after what i faced is crazy and has taken many months to believe. These trials are life saving for me anyway. Just thought i would share my little story incase you are faced with a decision. Alan

[@fred-shieh]

was it your lung or lymph nodes met that grew to 4cm? and 2 to 2.5 was that in months? or years? My brother is in exactly the same situation for you, he may go on double io soon, so we're hoping what worked for you will work for him too...

[@notursavior1861]

How are you doing now Alan?

[@alanscully1578]

@Victor Roca Hi Well I am still here. I'm still attending scans and not out of the woods yet. The treatment has left me with disabilities. But here to te you I'm OK at present. The 4cm tumour was on my spleen btw.

[@notursavior1861]

@@alanscully1578 glad to hear that. If I may ask, what immunotherapy were you on? And you were in remission for 2 years but has the cancer "tried" to come back? My dad just started opdivo nivolumab and also just started taking cabozantinib pill two days ago.

[@dolfan0382ify]

@@notursavior1861 Hello! How is your father doing today? I will be starting that same combination here in the next 2 weeks or so. I had my left kidney removed. I have 3 lymphnodes, 3 cm on one and 2 others about 1cm each (non on my organs), thankfully. How is everything going for him?

[@stevenwatson7668]

Immunotherapy saved my life. I had bladder cancer and after 6 weeks of treatments( once a week) and prior surgery. I'm cancer free.

[@DoubleGauss]

Congratulations ! Good to hear stories like yours. When did you find out you were cancer free ? Right at the end of six weeks..or did you get scanned some time after ?

[@JohnSmith-lw2vh]

I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. This gives me hope.

[@alanscully1578]

I added a story just for more hope x

[@silvialogan9226]

I am glad that he responded well with the immunotherapy. Is he still cancer free because this video is dated four years ago?

[@caisme]

Thanks for sharing this story. It gives me hope

[@Dale65378]

My dad had the same thing and the doctors failed to treat my dad and the doctors in the hospital where my dad was they allowed my dad too die. I needed this amazing video to prove that my dad would of lived.

[@DoubleGauss]

It's possible your dad may have lived. And it's just as possible he may not have. As of today immunotherapy works only on a minority of patients but scientists are hard at work trying to get it to work on more.

[@danac352]

I found a lump on my right side in December and ultrasound said it was my gallbladder, well 4 months out of surgery the lump is still there. Cat scan showed nothing and no changes from the ultrasound. Now waiting for mri to be approved. If the mri shows nothing exploratory surgery will be next. I wouldn’t worry so much, but this lump is causing a lot of pain that shoots to the top of my right hip, and haven’t been able to urinate too well since the beginning of May. I could really use prayers. I don’t know what my future holds or what’s gonna happen, but I could really use some strength and ease from worrying.

[@laura20367ify]

Hi Dana, How are you doing? I pray you are doing well. God bless you. Blessings.

[@danac352]

@@laura20367ify ended up being my gallbladder. Surgery was feb 2020😊👍

[@notursavior1861]

@@danac352 i for one am glad you're still here. No one should have to suffer cancer. Well except for hardened homicidal criminals. They should get it.

[@RudolfRyanPerez]

My mother died stage 4.. How i wish The therapy is available here

[@CancerResearchInstitute]

Hi Rudolf, you can find a clinical trial near you: www.cancerresearch.org/patients/clinical-trials

[@michaelchristensen2786]

Cancer is so confusing. My brother was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer June 1st, 2021. He died of the disease August 16th, 2021. If this great treatment was available why didn't they give it to him? Something's wrong here.

[@debradocekal-lusk5802]

My ex was admitted to hospice today for stage 4 kidney cancer. The father of my 2 kids. Its so hard to see him go though this. Sorry for your loss.

[@smooveking773]

What hospitals do this treatment iam near Chicago

[@CancerResearchInstitute]

Hi! Nivolumab is FDA-approved for subsets of patients with advanced kidney cancer, so check with your oncologist. www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/cancer-types/kidney-cancer

[@riavanwyk2597]

exellent!!!!!!

[@mariagil6716]

Ria Van Wyk

[@smooveking773]

What is this treatment

[@CancerResearchInstitute]

Hi! Philip was treated with nivolumab (Opdivo). www.cancerresearch.org/patients/immunocommunity/featured-stories/philip-p

[@andith]

Is this immunotherapy still working?

[@CancerResearchInstitute]

Hi Emirty, to learn more about immunotherapy for kidney cancer: www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/cancer-types/kidney-cancer

[@marypevitt174]

What is immunotherapy ?

[@CancerResearchInstitute]

Cancer immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer. www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy

[@marypevitt174]

@@CancerResearchInstitute thank you for your help