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Lung Cancer

Marilyn Goldsmith lives in Philadelphia, but spends much of her time with family in Florida where the weather is enjoyable. Eleven years ago, while in Florida, Marilyn was not feeling quite right and noticed her memory wasn't as sharp as it should be. A neurologist performed some diagnostic tests and determined that Marilyn had lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain. Marilyn was given 3-6 months to live.

"My initial treatment in Florida was unsuccessful."

"My doctor referred me to a local hospital where gamma knife brain surgery was available. It is non-invasive, so I agreed immediately," explained Marilyn. After her surgery, Marilyn started a course of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, her initial treatment in Florida was unsuccessful and the tumor began to grow.

Marilyn returned to Philadelphia where her physician-friend referred her to an oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center. "After my first CAT Scan, my doctor could see the chemotherapy was not working, so he switched me to another drug combination," said Marilyn. Because the chemotherapy (gemcitabine) was able to control her tumor, Marilyn stayed on the same treatment for over 3 years. At that point, her doctors stopped the drugs and watched Marilyn carefully.

"The surgery at Fox Chase saved my life!"

The next summer Marilyn developed acute abdominal pain which turned out to be a perforated gastric ulcer and unrelated to her cancer. Some doctors refused to perform the emergency surgery because because of her metastatic cancer diagnosis. "Because I was doing so well, my medical oncologist and surgeon decided to proceed. The surgery at Fox Chase saved my life!" explained Marilyn.

Marilyn's doctor is thrilled with her progress.

When the cancer in Marilyn's lung began to grow again, she was retreated with the same chemotherapy regimen and responded well. After 2 more years of therapy, the lung cancer ultimately grew resistant to the drugs and she was switched to a third line regimen (vinorelbine), to which she again responded.

After 2 more years of treatment, she did quite well, with further tumor shrinkage. Marilyn and her doctors mutually opted to stop treatment. She continues to be monitored with periodic check-ups and CT scans. Marilyn's cancer has not grown in over 3 years. Her doctor said, "Personally, I am thrilled. Not only is her story amazing, but Marilyn has been a huge source of patients at Fox Chase!"

"I cannot say enough about the doctors at Fox Chase!"

"I cannot say enough about the doctors at Fox Chase! I am so fortunate to be under their care," said Marilyn.

"From the time you walk in to the time you walk out, Fox Chase is a wonderful place."

"From the time you walk in to the time you walk out, Fox Chase is a wonderful place. The staff became like family to me. I still keep in touch with the nurses from the infusion room. They really helped me through my ordeal and that means a lot."

"I am forever indebted to Fox Chase for saving my life."

These days, Marilyn is spreading the word about Fox Chase. "I am forever indebted to Fox Chase for saving my life. I refer so many people there. Even people I don't know!" said Marilyn. When her friends hear of someone who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, they call Marilyn. "One person in particular was given 3 months to live by another Philadelphia doctor. I suggested she go to Fox Chase and she is doing terrific today!"

Learn more about lung cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.