Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor Patient Stories
Alisa Monteiro

Alisa Monteiro
As someone who works in oncology clinical trials, I’m pretty familiar with hospitals and medical centers in the Philadelphia area and what their specialties are when it comes to cancer. Still, at the age of 52, I did not expect to be diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor, also known as NET, and be faced with the decision of where to go to receive the best treatment.
William Bojanowski

William Bojanowski
In October of 2020, at 59 years old, I started having some back pain. I worked in construction, so lower back pain was normal, but this time the pain was in my upper back. I went to my primary doctor and she noticed that my kidney was not functioning fully. She thought it might be due to my diabetes medication.
After two months of a lowered dosage of medication, my pain only got worse. I was sent to the local urologist, and when he saw something on my X-rays he immediately referred me to Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Dennis Haring

Dennis Haring
I am in good hands with my care team. Their multidisciplinary approach made it possible for me to regain my quality of life and look forward to my future.
Melvin Ward

Melvin Ward
My care team at Fox Chase had such a confident and laid-back demeanor. We were on the same page, and their expertise made me feel more secure.
Ardelle Clarke

Ardelle Clarke
I plan on having a very, very long life. I’m 66 years old and I run a daycare in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Until I was diagnosed, I had no symptoms to speak of and had lived a healthy lifestyle. That’s why when doctors told me I had carcinoid tumors, I had trouble believing I was really sick.