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151: Stewart Greenfield survived stage IV bladder cancer | cisplatin | gemcidibine | novolumab | immunotherapy
For Stewart Greenfield, the third time was the charm. After checking pictures of his bladder in 2016, two doctors told him he didn’t have long to live; a third doctor told him he had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer, but insisted he needed to be treated. The cancer had burned a hole in his bladder and attacked lymph nodes from his groin to his neck. Treatment included a chemotherapy cocktail of cisplatin and gemcidibine, plus qualifying for an immunotherapy, novolumab. It was a smashing success. Stewart says his urinary function is normal and he is able to resume his active lifestyle, which includes cycling and scuba diving.
A semi-retired kitchen designer, Stewart Greenfield of Scottsdale, Arizona, thought he was in good health when he went for his annual physical in 2016. He was an active cyclist and scuba diver. However, his doctor said his blood work was “inconclusive.” After a second test was labeled inconclusive, the doctor prescribed antibiotics and called for a third blood test a week later. The doctor got a similar result and sent Stewart to a urological surgeon.
The surgeon called for Stewart to undergo some scans and upon viewing them, gave Stewart some very bad news. The surgeon did not mention the word ‘cancer,’ but said Stewart should get his affairs in order.
Stewart went to a second urologist who viewed pictures of Stewart’s bladder, again did not mention the word cancer, but said the condition of the bladder was so advanced, it was too late to treat it. He had a hole in his bladder and the cancer had attacked lymph nodes from his groin to his neck.
Stewart had an appointment with a third surgeon. She said he had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer. As he attempted to leave, the doctor blocked his path and insisted on treating his diagnosis. At first he resisted, thinking he had received a death sentence, but he agreed to be treated.
Stewart was put on a chemotherapy regimen with cisplatin. The regimen was stepped up with the addition of gemcidibine. As the regimen had been successful, he qualified for a new immunotherapy, novolumab.
The treatment was a success. Stewart has normal urinary function and again takes part in cycling and scuba diving.
By way of advice, he urges those diagnosed with bladder cancer to stay positive, never lose hope and “fight the fight.”
Additional Resource:
Support Group:
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network https://www.bcan.org
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By Jim Foster
5
22 ratings
For Stewart Greenfield, the third time was the charm. After checking pictures of his bladder in 2016, two doctors told him he didn’t have long to live; a third doctor told him he had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer, but insisted he needed to be treated. The cancer had burned a hole in his bladder and attacked lymph nodes from his groin to his neck. Treatment included a chemotherapy cocktail of cisplatin and gemcidibine, plus qualifying for an immunotherapy, novolumab. It was a smashing success. Stewart says his urinary function is normal and he is able to resume his active lifestyle, which includes cycling and scuba diving.
A semi-retired kitchen designer, Stewart Greenfield of Scottsdale, Arizona, thought he was in good health when he went for his annual physical in 2016. He was an active cyclist and scuba diver. However, his doctor said his blood work was “inconclusive.” After a second test was labeled inconclusive, the doctor prescribed antibiotics and called for a third blood test a week later. The doctor got a similar result and sent Stewart to a urological surgeon.
The surgeon called for Stewart to undergo some scans and upon viewing them, gave Stewart some very bad news. The surgeon did not mention the word ‘cancer,’ but said Stewart should get his affairs in order.
Stewart went to a second urologist who viewed pictures of Stewart’s bladder, again did not mention the word cancer, but said the condition of the bladder was so advanced, it was too late to treat it. He had a hole in his bladder and the cancer had attacked lymph nodes from his groin to his neck.
Stewart had an appointment with a third surgeon. She said he had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer. As he attempted to leave, the doctor blocked his path and insisted on treating his diagnosis. At first he resisted, thinking he had received a death sentence, but he agreed to be treated.
Stewart was put on a chemotherapy regimen with cisplatin. The regimen was stepped up with the addition of gemcidibine. As the regimen had been successful, he qualified for a new immunotherapy, novolumab.
The treatment was a success. Stewart has normal urinary function and again takes part in cycling and scuba diving.
By way of advice, he urges those diagnosed with bladder cancer to stay positive, never lose hope and “fight the fight.”
Additional Resource:
Support Group:
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network https://www.bcan.org