How long can cancer patients survive?

When diagnosed with cancer, many patients may think that they will die soon and lose their confidence to live. However, with the development of cancer treatments, the prognosis of many cancer patients is satisfactory: quality of life can be improved and they can even live longer. Some patients successfully survived for more than 5 years or even 10 years. In Fuda Cancer Hospital affiliated to Jinan University (Fuda), many cancer patients have obtained good curative effect after advanced treatments. Their experience tells us cancer does not equal to death. Here, we will share with you their successful anti-cancer experience.

Gurlin

Gurlin, advanced pancreatic cancer, surviving for 11 years

In 2007, Mrs. Gurlin of Denmark often felt a dull pain in her upper abdomen. Tests revealed a 2.8cm lump in her pancreas and three lumps in her liver. Biopsy revealed pancreatic malignancy with liver metastasis. Doctors told her that she could undergo chemotherapy, but no matter what treatment she had, she might only live for two or three months. In early 2008, Gurlin arrived at Fuda with her family in China, where she received CT-guided cryosurgery. The cryo-probe was directly inserted into the tumor in pancreatic neck, and 2 cycles of freezing-reheating were performed. Then so did Intrahepatic metastases. In order to make the ablation more thorough, iodine-125 seeds were implanted at the edge of the frozen area, after which Gurlin was discharged smoothly 2 weeks later. When the tumor was necrotic, she received DC-CIK combined immunotherapy regularly. In May 2014, Gurlin and Prof. Xu Kecheng, Chief President of Fuda went together to Beijing. On May 22, the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the CPC awarded Xu Kecheng “the Model of the Times”. Now 11 years later, Gurlin is still in good condition and has become a model of co-existence with cancer. Click here to read her anti-cancer story.

Tan Youhao

Tan Youhao, advanced liver cancer, surviving for 16 years

In 2002, Mr. Tan was found with a 12cm liver tumor during an examination. What made him frustrated was that the local hospital persuaded him to go home because of his advanced cancer. Later, Mr. Tan turned to other local hospitals but the answer he got was he had no more than three months to live! The sudden news struck him hard. In September 2002, he arrived at Fuda. After reviewing his case, Prof. Xu Kecheng, president of Fuda also thought his tumor was huge and it compressed other organs. But as long as there was a hint of hope, Dr. Xu would like to fight against it. First, Prof. Xu performed two hepatic arterial chemoembolization, and then ultrasound-guided cryosurgery with the joint efforts of Dr. Niu Lizhi. Two months later, Mr. Tan did a CT scan and found that the tumor miraculously shrunk! Can you imagine that a person who was sentenced to death by major hospitals eventually survived? Mr. Tan rekindled his yearning for future life. As of now, in the past 16 years, his tumors have not recurred. Click here to read his anti-cancer story.

Han Linyuan, 85 years old

Han Linyuan, advanced prostate cancer, surviving for 9 years

In 2010, Mr. Han aged 76 suddenly felt urinary incontinence and prostate pain so he immediately went to a Singaporean public hospital for checkup. After examinations, the doctor told him that he might have cancer, and recommended that he be hospitalized. For further confirmation, Mr. Han went to another public hospital for an in-depth examination and finally he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Hearing the bad news, his family was depressed. Then Mr. Han was admitted to hospital at once where he began to receive a series of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, repeated chemotherapy and radiotherapy didn’t alleviate Mr. Han’s pain, and made him weaker and weaker. Therefore, he had to stop all these treatments. His family got more anxious and depressed when seeing his getting thinner and thinner. Mr. Han was helpless. Luckily, his friend Dr. Dong told him that Fuda Cancer Hospital in China enjoys advanced cryosurgical technology. Then Mr. Han went to Fuda with his family. "Eight years ago, I underwent cryosurgical ablation and brachytherapy performed by Prof. Niu Lizhi, the chief surgeon from Fuda. After the surgery, my prostate cancer-related index dropped a lot. The symptoms of ostealgia and urinary incontinence were relieved. Soon I was discharged smoothly," said Mr. Han during reexamination at Fuda. So far, Mr. Han's index has been stable, no recurrence is found, and he survives for more than 9 years. Click here to read his anti-cancer story.

Mr. Lin, 82 years old

Mr. Lin, advanced lung cancer, surviving for 6 years

In 2013, Mr. Lin had a sudden cough and bloody sputum. After examination at a local hospital, diagnosis indicated a central type of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in his right lung. Then doctors there recommended an open surgery to cut 2/3 of his lung. "My father is too old to withstand this painful surgery. So we refuse it," Mr. Lin's family said with anxiety. To save their father, they searched information on advanced treatments around the world, and finally found Guangzhou Fuda in China. They were attracted by argon-helium cryosurgical ablation and brachytherapy at Fuda which inflicted fewer traumas, less pain, and more importantly less side effects. They thought that was the most appropriate treatment for their father.
Accompanied by his daughter, Mr. Lin flew from Thailand to Fuda. When he arrived at Fuda, oncologists from the team of Professor Niu Lizhi asked about his medical history and arranged comprehensive examinations for him. In October 2013, Mr. Lin smoothly underwent a right lung tumor biopsy, cryosurgery and brachytherapy. In October 2018, Mr. Lin returned to Fuda for reexamination which showed he was in good condition. So far, he has been surviving for 6 years. Click here to read his anti-cancer story.

Amy

Amy, advanced breast cancer, surviving for 10 years

As a flight attendant, Amy lived a busy and funny life. However, in March 2009, she inadvertently found a peanut-sized mass in the outer quadrant of her right breast. Two months later, she underwent a diagnostic resection of her right breast at a local hospital. The pathological report showed invasive ductal carcinoma. After the operation, a mass measuring about 1cm*1cm was still palpable in the area between the right lateral and right axillary fossa, its nature unknown. The local hospital recommended postoperative chemotherapy and endocrinotherapy, but Amy refused for personal reasons. When Amy arrived at Fuda, her cancer had developed to a late stage. Doctors here recommended the interventional therapy with drug microspheres to reduce the tumor. Then on March 10, April 7, and May 10, 2016, Amy was given interventional therapy on right breast cancer respectively. Unexpectedly, a chest CT scan on May 30, 2016 indicated that the right breast cancer recurrence was significantly smaller than before; nodular metastases in the right axillary near chest wall were smaller than before, which were appropriate for resection. On June 6, 2016, Amy underwent radical resection of right breast cancer, right thigh skin graft and right breast free skin flap transplantation under the general anesthesia. Prof. Wang Jiannan, the surgeon, said the procedure was smooth and no complications occurred. So far, Amy has been in good condition. Click here to read her anti-cancer story.

Cancer ≠ Death. When cancer is coming, the above-mentioned patients chose Fuda where they received treatments featuring minimal trauma, less side effects and good curative effects.
Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital affiliated to Jinan University is a Tertiary Cancer Hospital governed by Health Commission of Guangdong Province China. And Fuda is also the first JCI Accredited Cancer Hospital in Guangdong Province. In 2010, Fuda became one of the first National Key Clinical Cancer Specialty Centers designated by the Chinese Government. In 2011, Fuda was selected as Key Clinical Cancer Specialty Hospital in Guangdong Province.
As an international cancer hospital, Fuda has adopted the latest international anti-cancer concepts and therapies, and has 21 cutting-edge cancer therapies, which are more comprehensive and professional. In addition, Fuda has gathered many famous cancer experts at home and abroad and a skilled medical care team, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers.