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Teen's Cushing's Diagnosis Unveils Rare Cancer Battle
7 Sep
Summary
- Cushing's Syndrome diagnosis preceded a rare adrenocortical carcinoma.
- An 11-centimeter tumor spread to the liver and lungs.
- She has undergone multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.
In her late teens, a young woman experienced alarming symptoms like weight gain, sleep disturbances, and anxiety, initially attributed to stress. A missed period prompted medical investigation, leading to a diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome due to high cortisol levels.
Further tests revealed a significant 11-centimeter tumor, which had spread to her liver and lungs, classifying it as Stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting one in a million people annually. She was diagnosed on November 1, 2023, with the cancer diagnosed less than a month later on November 28.
Following a nine-hour surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City to remove the primary tumor, part of her liver, and diaphragm, she endured brutal chemotherapy. She completed senior year remotely and graduated, later becoming cancer-free in July 2024.
However, a routine scan in March 2025 indicated recurrence, leading to immunotherapy. The discovery of a tumor near her heart necessitated more surgery and radiation. Currently, she is participating in a clinical trial at the NIH and attending NYU for her sophomore year.
