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Steven Duncan
Lung Cancer with Metastasis to Brain
In 2006, Steven Duncan had recently relocated to Pennsylvania as a vice president of a local insurance company. He and his new wife Jennifer were excited about the future and looked forward to a much needed honeymoon in Hawaii.
Little did Steve and Jennifer know that their honeymoon would have to wait.
Living in Florida, Steven had a history of basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer), which he took very seriously. Shortly after Steven's wedding, his dermatologist noticed a very small spot on his chest during a routine exam. He biopsied the site and determined is was a very early stage of melanoma. Even though it was very small and the margins were clear after the excision, protocol called for a chest x-ray.
"I let the prescription sit on my desk for 3 months before I decided to have the x-ray."
"Because I had no symptoms, I let the prescription sit on my desk for 3 months before I decided to have the x-ray" said Steve. The doctors at a local hospital reviewed the films and could not provide a definitive answer as to whether or not the spot on his lung was cancerous.
"Physicians at M.D. Anderson recommended that I reach out to the doctors at Fox Chase."
"They couldn't agree, yet they wanted to operate", recalled Steve. "Their ambivalence made me uncomfortable so I asked my father's cousin (affiliated with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas) for advice. The physicians at M.D. Anderson recommended that I reach out to the doctors at Fox Chase, including Dr. Corey Langer, medical oncologist, and his team.
"The opinion I sought at Fox Chase saved my life."
"In addition to my dermatologist, the opinion I sought at Fox Chase saved my life," said Steve, whose case was puzzling. He was asymptomatic and never smoked, but a PET Scan indicated "hot spots" in his right upper lung (unrelated to the melanoma). Dr. Walter Scott, chief of thoracic surgery at Fox Chase, rearranged his vacation schedule to perform diagnostic surgery immediately to biopsy the suspicious area.
"August 31, 2007 was the longest day in our lives," recalled Jennifer. "We went to Fox Chase early that morning not knowing if Steve had cancer or something else. After 12 hours, we learned he had stage IV lung cancer that had spread to his brain".
"Dr. Scott made us feel confident about our future."
Steve added, "Dr. Scott is an intelligent and articulate surgeon. When he delivered the news, he seemed to be as shocked as we were. He was candid and honest with us, which we appreciated. Dr. Scott made us feel confident about our future. I was glad he was on my treatment team."
"Dr. Feigenberg knew he needed to act swiftly."
Immediately following the biopsy, Dr. Feigenberg, a radiation oncologist, met with Steve and Jennifer. It was determined that the brain tumor was growing faster than the lung tumors and needed immediate attention. "Dr. Feigenberg knew he needed to act swiftly in order for my radiation to be successful," Steve recalled.
"Fox Chase has the right people doing the right thing."
"I was so pleased with the care I received at Fox Chase. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, was outstanding. Fox Chase has the right people doing the right thing," said Steve. "I never met anybody who was not friendly and helpful. And of course, I can't say enough about my doctors!"
After the first round of radiation therapy, Steve started his initial course of chemotherapy. By the end of the year, Steve finished his treatment, which, at this point, appears to be successful. He will continue to be monitored with frequent testing. Steve calls it the "WWP Plan" - watch, wait and pray.
An unusual gift from a friend of 45 years
In addition to the support provided at home and by Fox Chase, Steve received an unusual gift from a childhood friend who is a teacher. When Steve was diagnosed with lung cancer, his friend, Chip, told his students about Steve's condition. The students began a card-writing campaign to offer Steve support and encouragement. "Between the faculty, students and their parents, I must have received over 100 cards. Getting the mail was a very important and special part of each day," recalled Steve."
"Now we can plan for our long term future!"
During much of his treatment, Steve continued to work from home. Before returning to work full-time, Steve and his wife traveled to Hawaii to enjoy their long-awaited honeymoon. "The timing was great. Jennifer had put her career on hold and could now pick up where she left off and it looks like my cancer is diminishing. Now we can plan for our long term future!" exclaimed Steve.
Learn more about lung cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.