Cancer Treatment

Patient Stories

Amyloidosis

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  John Rizzo

  John Rizzo was deeply concerned when he was diagnosed with a rare disease, amyloidosis. "Fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time and met the right people." Read John's story.

Bile Duct Cancer

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  Baron Bluhm

  A liver transplant, and the second chance it brought him leave Baron Bluhm grateful for those who provided his care - and still searching for words to express his gratitude for the donation that saved his life. Read Baron's story.

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  John Gwazdacz

  John wants others who receive diagnoses of bile duct cancer to know there is hope. Read John's story.

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  Carolyn Johnson

  Jay and I both decided that if anything is ever wrong with us, we're going back to Mayo Clinic. Read Carolyn's story.

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  Doug Yaus

  Doug Yaus says you have to be involved in your care — and never give up hope — even when your options seem to have come to an end. Read Doug's story.

Bladder Cancer

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  Donald Sannes

  Surgery for bladder cancer removed his disease and preserved his function. Read Donald's story.

Brain Tumors

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  Jayden Aldona Gonzalez

  When a brain tumor unexpectedly appeared in 20-month-old Jayden Gonzalez, Mayo Clinic doctors responded quickly to remove the tumor and restore his health. Read Jayden's story.

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  Cynthia Amendt

  Artist and teacher Cynthia Amendt sees her teaching — and her health — reach new levels through participation in a clinical trial. Read Cynthia's story.

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  Laurie Beach

  A rare brain tumor couldn't stop Laurie Beach from enjoying the life she dreamed of. Read Laurie's story.

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  Kathy Crandall

  Successful brain tumor treatment at Mayo Clinic starts Kathy Crandall on a new path in life. Read Kathy's story.

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  Emily Crawford

  Emily Crawford's summer vacation included an unexpected event — brain tumor surgery at Mayo Clinic. Read Emily's story.

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  Jackson Hoeger

  After fighting cancer for four years, Jackson Hoeger and his family finally feel like they've graduated from the school of hard knocks. Read Jackson's story.

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  Margie Hartmann and Jessica Nastrom

  Shopping, going to lunch, seeing a movie — just a few things mothers and daughters do together. Add having Gamma Knife™ surgery to the list for Margie Hartmann and her daughter, Jessica Nastrom. Read Margie and Jessica's story.

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  Nelda Metz

  Nelda Metz had been healthy all of her 49 years. Imagine her surprise, when she learned she had a malignant brain tumor. But incision-free brain surgery had her back with her family quickly. Read Nelda's story.

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  Andy Walch

  Surgery and an investigational drug give brain tumor patient much more than anyone expected. Read Andy's story.

Breast Cancer

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  Tea Allegri

  It is a long trip from Caracas, Venezuela, to Rochester, Minn., but quality and efficiency motivate Tea Allegri and her husband, Luigi, to travel to Mayo Clinic when they have a serious problem. Read Tea's story.

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  Debbie Baselle

  When Debbie Baselle learned about a Mayo Clinic clinical trial to control hot flashes, she was eager to sign up. Read Debbie's story.

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  Mary Berman

  Dr. Mary Berman found herself "mesmerized with Mayo" when she was treated for breast cancer. "As a doctor, it was stunning to see how well medicine can be practiced." Read Mary's story.

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  Wanda Bowen

  Wanda Bowen (pictured with her daughter) appreciates the close monitoring of the Executive Health Program. "I feel confident that if anything shows up, they will find it." Read Wanda's story.

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  Keri Christian

  Working with genetic counselor Katherine Hunt put Keri Christian (right) in a powerful position to make decisions that could save her family. Read Keri's story.

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  Sharon Francis

  Sharon Francis was working on a new design collection when the pain started. "I thought it was just a bad headache," she says. "Then I fainted in the elevator." Read Sharon's story.

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  Rolande Graves

  Professor Rolande Graves has faced her breast cancer the way she has faced any obstacle — with determination and a positive attitude. Read Rolande's story.

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  Jan Hawkes

  When Jan Hawkes was diagnosed with breast cancer, maintaining her active lifestyle meant coordinating care between Mayo Clinic campuses in Rochester, Minn., and Arizona Read Jan's story.

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  Kris Holladay

  Kris Holladay had children with special needs and a new grandbaby on the way when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. A revolutionary new radiation treatment helped Kris beat cancer on her own terms. Read Kris' story.

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  Pam McCall

  Mammography technologist battles breast cancer with support from her Mayo Clinic "family." Read Pam's story.

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  Lynn Van Wagenen

  Lynn Van Wagenen and her co-worker Stephanie Carter fight breast cancer together. Read Lynn's story.

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  Janet Vittone

  Janet Vittone, M.D., two sisters and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer in the same year — and received the same swift treatment at Mayo Clinic. Read Janet's story.

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  Rose Wells

  When Rose Wells was diagnosed with breast cancer, her faith and positive thinking helped to ensure she'd always be there for her family. Read Rose's story.

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  Tracy Williams

  For Tracy Williams, fighting breast cancer also meant finding true friends. Read Tracy's story.

Carcinoid Tumors

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  Jim Turner

  Cancer treatment and heart surgery at Mayo Clinic helped Jim Turner live actively in retirement. Read Jim's story.

Cervical Cancer

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  Jeanne Greenfield

  Cancer survivor for 17 years and still counting Read Jeanne's story.

Colon Cancer

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  Judi Andress

  "I'm not crazy," says Judi Andress — probably because her story sounds like it might be. And yet what happened is not only true, but it also saved Judi's life. Twice. Read Judi's story.

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  Michael Blake

  Michael Blake had good intentions when it came to being screened for colon cancer. "But I always found some reason not to get there." Then he read about "virtual colonoscopy." Read Michael's story.

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  John Simpson

  John Simpson credits diligent Mayo physicians with catching several different cancers early. Read John's story.

Esophageal Cancer

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  Wayne Stillman

  "Mayo's commitment to each patient and to the whole picture, which in my case included genetic testing, saved my life," he says. Read Wayne's story.

Islet Cell Cancer

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  John Fulton

  Decades after beating bone cancer at Mayo Clinic, John Fulton returned, this time to defeat islet cell cancer. John says that, once more, Mayo helped him "beat the system." Read John's story.

Kidney Cancer

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  Karen Gibson

  Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to remove a renal cell tumor prompted this Jacksonville mom to participate in a study to help unravel the mystery surrounding her disease. Read Karen's story.

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  Jasper Johnikin

  Innovative technology and surgical expertise helped Mayo Clinic physicians save kidney cancer patient Jasper Johnikin's kidney — and his life. Read Jasper's story.

Leukemia

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  Wendy Zins

  Long-term cancer survivor who had a bone marrow transplant gives others hope. Read Wendy's story.

Liver Cancer

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  Mary Jane Bollinger

  Transplant recipient becomes transplant volunteer. Read Mary Jane's story.

Lung Cancer

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  Judi Andress

  "I'm not crazy," says Judi Andress — probably because her story sounds like it might be. And yet what happened is not only true, but it also saved Judi's life. Twice. Read Judi's story.

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  Jim Davis

  For 35 years, they've done everything together. They were even diagnosed with terminal cancers, together. Read Jim's story.

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  Jane Fausel

  Jane Fausel invested in her health by choosing Mayo Clinic to treat her lung cancer, and she's glad she did. Read Jane's story.

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  Milo Pietz

  Lung cancer surgery at Mayo Clinic returns South Dakota singer to an active life. Read Milo's story.

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  Earlene Taylor

  Adventures call and Earlene Taylor still answers, thanks to Mayo doctors who helped her beat lung cancer again. Read Earlene's story.

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  Harold Willhite

  "Nothing's in a rush," says Harold, back in his workshop after surviving two lung cancers. "I've got the rest of my life." Read Harold's story.

Melanoma

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  Warren Farwell

  When Warren Farwell learned that he had ocular melanoma, he joined a research trial at Mayo Clinic comparing two treatments for this type of cancer. Read Warren's story.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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  Greg Nelson

  A difficult-to-diagnose cancer brought Greg Nelson to his knees, literally. But a bone marrow transplant put him back on his feet. Read Greg's story.

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  Sue Stein

  Sue Stein believes everything happens for a reason, including her seven year battle with cancer and the stem cell transplant that helped her win. Read Sue's story.

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  Charlotte Wolter

  Experimental therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma put Charlotte back on the lake. Read Charlotte's story.

Osteosarcoma

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  Shanna Decker

  When Shanna Decker was 7 years old, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She received treatment at Mayo Clinic and today is a healthy, active young lady dedicated to touching the lives of others. Read Shanna's story.

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  Branden Lombardi

  "I knew that life wasn't going to stop, so I just had to catch up and do the best I could." Read Branden's story.

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  Aitana Paya Perez

  Persistant bone cancer hasn't stopped a Spanish student from pursuing her education — and her dreams. Read Aitana's story.

Ovarian Cancer

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  Susan Quinn

  Strong faith and medicine brought an ovarian cancer patient back to health. Read Susan's story.

Pancreatic Cancer

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  John Fulton

  Decades after beating bone cancer at Mayo Clinic, John Fulton returned, this time to defeat islet cell cancer. John says that, once more, Mayo helped him "beat the system." Read John's story.

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  Harold Gerndt

  Before Harold Gerndt, M.D. sought a second opinion from Mayo Clinic regarding treatment for pancreatic cancer, he and his wife, Marilyn, got input from a registered nurse and five physicians. These experts aren't Dr. Gerndt's private medical team; they're his children. Read Harold's story.

Pituitary Gland Cancer

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  John Simpson

  John Simpson credits diligent Mayo physicians with catching several different cancers early. Read John's story.

Prostate Cancer

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  Mike Carlson

  Prostate cancer treatment puts Mike Carlson on the right path. Read Mike's story.

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  Jim Davis

  For 35 years, they've done everything together. They were even diagnosed with terminal cancers, together. Read Jim's story.

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  Jack Keller

  A thorough search for prostate cancer proved to be the right approach for Jack Keller. Read Jack's story.

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  Bernardo Loose

  Mexico's Bernardo Loose drove over 700 miles to receive treatment for an aggressive prostate cancer ... and forged a lifelong friendship with his Mayo surgeon. Read Bernardo's story.

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  Randall Minion

  Diagnosed with prostate cancer at a relatively young age, Dr. Randall Minion chose robotic surgery as the best way to maintain his full, active lifestyle. Read Randall's story. Read Randall's story.

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  John Simpson

  John Simpson credits diligent Mayo physicians with catching several different cancers early. Read John's story.

Salivary Gland Tumors

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  JoAnn Selvera

  JoAnn Selvera had almost given up hope of being able to speak or eat normally. Mayo surgeons removed the lump from her throat and gave her a normal life again, and she couldn't be happier. Read JoAnn's story.

Skin Cancer

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  Howard Lloyd

  Nonmelanoma skin cancer returns twice, but can't keep a retired Navy officer from running his life. Read Howard's story.

Spinal Cord Tumors

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  Carolyn Lengh

  Carolyn Lengh, a principal at a private school in Milwaukee, knows the wear and tear countless hours in a demanding job can cause. But that didn't explain the back pain she'd felt for six months. Successful removal of a spinal cord tumor brought relief. Read Carolyn's story.

T-cell Lymphoma

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  Wendy Hamilton

  While hiking on a trip with her daughter, Wendy Hamilton often had to stop and rest. She attributed it to higher altitudes and middle age, but Hamilton was diagnosed later with stage 4 peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A bone marrow transplant got her back on the right path. Read Wendy's story.

Throat Cancer

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  Bob Grinnell

  Arizona 'Santa' survives cancer, radiation and gives back to kids — Bob Grinnell's trademark white beard was spared during delicate laser surgery to remove a tumor in his throat. Read Bob's story.

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  Danny Snodgrass

  Laser microsurgery was the right choice for throat cancer patient Danny Snodgrass. Read Danny's story.

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  George Todd

  Mayo Clinic provided a treatment for George Todd's cancer that saved his voice. Read George's story.

Thyroid Cancer

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  Tom Sherrard

  Radiation therapy and surgery put a stop to aggressive anaplastic thyroid cancer. Read Tom's story.

Tongue Base Cancer

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  James Donnelly

  Coordinated approach to care brings results for business school professor. Read Jim's story.

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  David Farrell

  A tongue tumor threatened to cut short this volunteer firefighter's life, but surgery and radiation treatment at Mayo Clinic saved his life. Read David's story.

Vaginal Cancer

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  Ann Flintoff

  When Jacksonville, Fla., resident Ann Flintoff was told she had vaginal cancer in 1998, she thought about her 3-month-old grandson Sean and hoped she'd live long enough for him to remember her. Read Ann's story.