This is the story of Ms. Mei, a young lymphoma patient. She experienced a series of abnormal symptoms during her sophomore year in college, and was diagnosed with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma. The tumor progressed rapidly and was invasive. However, after careful treatment by the MD Anderson Cancer Center team in the United States, Ms. Mei has now recovered from cancer for 4 years and regained her life.

1. Nightmare for College Students: Sudden Cancer

Ms. Mei is a young person who values health and maintains good eating habits and regular exercise. However, in her sophomore year of college, she began to experience symptoms such as fever, cough, chills, and sore throat. Although she immediately sought medical attention, the doctor's diagnosis varied from pharyngitis to influenza, mononucleosis, and so on. It wasn't until several months later that she found the cause - stage III Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is relatively easy to treat, but the treatment of some recurrent or refractory cases is more complex and requires more specialized treatment methods. At first, Ms. Mei's symptoms recurred repeatedly, causing her to travel back and forth to the hospital during her studies, leaving her exhausted.

After Ms. Mei touched the lump on her neck, further examination confirmed her true condition - malignant lymphoma, which had entered the third stage of the disease. At that time, she was just 20 years old, and her young life suddenly faced a major challenge. Although she was uneasy in her heart, she still believed that she could overcome the disease.

2. Collaborative therapy: Anderson Center's personalized treatment plan

In order to develop a more scientific treatment plan, Ms. Mei's attending physician worked closely with the expert team at MD Anderson Cancer Center to design a 6-month, 12 cycle chemotherapy regimen (ABVD regimen). After the first four cycles of treatment, the tumor seemed to disappear, but subsequent examinations showed that there were still suspected lesions in the body.

Dr. Nair, a lymphoma specialist at MD Anderson, suggested that she go to Houston for further evaluation and treatment. Her attending physician also agrees with this decision, stating that if Ms. Mei were his child, he would undoubtedly want her to seek more authoritative treatment at MD Anderson.

3. Go to MD Anderson: radical but precise treatment

Ms. Mei and her mother moved to Houston and began their treatment journey at MD Anderson. Dr. Nair discovered that her lymphoma is highly invasive and requires stem cell transplantation as a viable option. However, before undergoing transplantation, Ms. Mei needs to control the tumor through high-intensity chemotherapy.

Under the combined action of chemotherapy and antibody drug conjugate (ADC) Brentuximab Vedotin, Ms. Mei's cancer cells gradually decreased and the treatment was significant. Afterwards, Dr. Srour, a stem cell transplant expert, developed a high-dose chemotherapy regimen for her to further consolidate * and reduce the risk of recurrence. Although this plan has significant side effects, Ms. Mei's youth and health enable her to withstand the discomfort during the treatment process.

The doctor told me that this plan might make me 'hate' him, but he was certain that it was the best choice that brought me the opportunity, "Ms. Mei recalled. She chose to continue treatment without hesitation because she knew it might be the only way to get rid of cancer.

4. Rebirth: The Joy of a Cancer Free Life

On July 31, 2020, Ms. Mei successfully completed a stem cell transplant and was hospitalized at Anderson Cancer Center for 40 days. During the treatment period, she actively cooperated with the rehabilitation advice of medical staff and made efforts to maintain physical activity to accelerate recovery. On the whiteboard in the ward, she drew a calendar to count down the treatment process and distracted her attention through drawing and other activities.

During her hospitalization, Ms. Mei endured severe pain caused by mucosal inflammation and relied on morphine based drugs for pain relief. Nevertheless, she remained full of fighting spirit. After discharge, she continued to receive maintenance treatment for one year. The re examination results on October 17, 2022 showed that she still showed no signs of cancer.

Ms. Mei is deeply grateful to every staff member of MD Anderson. From hospital reception to inpatient care, to regular check ups and treatment support, she felt meticulous care and professionalism. Medical staff not only pay attention to her physical condition, but also provide comfort mentally, making her feel warm and strong in her fight against cancer.

Nowadays, Ms. Mei undergoes a follow-up visit at MD Anderson every 6 months, and her previous anxiety is gradually being replaced by joy. She is well aware that the opportunity for her rebirth is hard won, and her feelings about life are even more profound.

Thank you to MD Anderson and God for keeping me cancer free four years after my transplant. I now understand how to enjoy every moment of life better, "Ms. Mei sighed.

About MD Anderson Cancer Center

MD Anderson Cancer Center is located in Houston, Texas, and is one of the world's leading cancer specialty hospitals. Every year, we receive patients from 93 countries around the world, including politicians and business leaders from various countries. The hospital is renowned worldwide for its outstanding cancer treatment and research achievements, such as former Chairman of Samsung Group in South Korea, Lee Kun hee, and former US President Carter, who both received treatment here and successfully defeated cancer.

No matter what type of cancer patients face, MD Anderson Cancer Center can provide personalized treatment plans, combined with advanced clinical trials and a global team of experts, bringing greater hope to patients.