Why Choose Fox Chase? »Success Stories »Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer with Metastases to the Lungs, Liver and Bones

Just as the holidays were approaching in December 2001, Beth Corkery, a 35-year-old mother of two, was given a copy of Glamour magazine by a friend. Sitting in her home in the Philadelphia suburbs, Beth began flipping through the pages when she came across an article on the importance of breast self-exam. Although she had no family history of breast cancer, the article struck a chord and prompted Beth to perform her very first self-exam. Beth was astonished to find a small lump immediately, which turned out to be breast cancer.

Beth sought medical care at her local hospital. When breast cancer is confined to the breast tissue, surgery alone (lumpectomy or mastectomy) can sometimes be effective. In Beth's case, she underwent a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and plastic reconstructive surgery. Once she had fully recovered from treatment, Beth resumed her busy life, working full time as a sales assistant at a large Philadelphia bank and raising a 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

By the spring of 2005, about 3 years after she completed treatment, Beth had a persistent cough and shortness of breath. Aware of Beth's history, her primary care doctor ordered a blood test and x-ray, which did not detect any cancer. He prescribed a month-long course of antibiotics, however Beth saw no visible sign of improvement.

"I never thought to call my oncologist because I did not worry about my cancer recurring."

"I thought it couldn't possibly happen to me." Unfortunately, recurrence is something many cancer survivors, including Beth, must face.

Further testing showed the breast cancer recurred and had spread to Beth's lung and bones. "Although treatment was offered at my local hospital, my mother urged me to get a second opinion at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia," shared Beth, who admittedly might not have made the move without her mother's encouragement.

Because Beth's cancer was aggressive, her mother wanted her to see the area's top breast cancer specialists, some of whom can be found at Fox Chase — the region's only hospital devoted entirely to cancer treatment, research and prevention.

Beth met with Lori Goldstein, MD, director of the breast evaluation center at Fox Chase, a medical oncologist who specializes in treating women with advanced breast cancer. Dr. Goldstein immediately started Beth on a course of chemotherapy that was initially successful, but after 14 months, the cancer stopped responding to the treatment.

Dr. Goldstein tried 2 other proven chemotherapy treatments which were unable to control the growth of the disease. Beth's health was declining and the cancer had spread to her liver and lymph nodes and caused a pleural effusion around her left lung. (Pleural effusion is fluid in the lining of the lung.)

Beth continued to work full-time during her treatment, but it took a toll on her health. The final straw came when Beth experienced vertigo and had to lay down at work. When her husband picked her up, they decided it was time to stop working.

"I cried that night because I realized I had waited too long to stop working and was afraid I might not have any more quality time with my kids," admitted Beth.

Running out of time — and options — Dr. Goldstein suggested that Beth enroll in a clinical trial run by Roger Cohen, MD, director of Phase I clinical trials at Fox Chase.

When patients like Beth learn that their cancer is not responding to the standard treatment, there is still hope. With more than 170 clinical trials underway at any time, Fox Chase researchers are constantly evaluating new and improved approaches to treat cancer.

By enrolling in a clinical trial, Beth had access to new cancer treatments not otherwise available, in addition to excellent care.

In April 2007, Beth began the trial and was thrilled when she learned it was working.

"The clinical trial that Beth enrolled in evaluated the effectiveness of a combination of proven breast cancer drugs with an investigative drug," explained Dr. Cohen. "Fortunately for Beth, this treatment successfully stabilized her cancer."

"I am here today because of Dr. Goldstein's focus, knowledge and concern about my quality of life."

Beth is grateful to everyone involved in her incredible cancer journey. "I am here today because of Dr. Goldstein's focus, knowledge and concern about my quality of life during treatment. She has always been very supportive of altering my treatment schedule to accommodate vacation or family time I need to take."

She continued, "Dr. Cohen and his team are also wonderful - they are always amazed when they see how well I'm doing. Yuko Nishida, my protocol nurse, and I enjoy chatting about our lives. The nursing staff at Fox Chase are incredible and the ladies in the Clinical Research Unit are incomparable to my previous hospital experience."

"Blood tests and chemotherapy are easier to take at Fox Chase because the people who care for you feel like family."

In addition to her medical treatment team, Beth is grateful to her mother who pushed for a second opinion, as well as her husband who comes to almost every appointment.

Beth also thanks her friend who gave her the magazine in the first place. Because her disease is aggressive, Beth knows that if she did not find the tumor when she did, it may have been too late. "At the rate my cancer was growing, I doubt I would have lived to age 40 when women typically start annual mammograms." (The American Cancer Society advises women to start annual mammogram at age 40.)

"I didn't think breast cancer could happen to me and look what happened," shared Beth, who encourages all women to perform monthly breast self-exam no matter how old they are.

Through her experience, Beth has come to realize the importance of her family and the time she spends with her children, who are now 13 and 11. "I was so busy working and trying to manage everything in my life. I needed someone to tell me to slow down and enjoy my family. This is such special time you never get back. The time I have with my kids is amazing."

"I might be contributing to the future for cancer patients if this works out."

"Although I have not been able to return to work, I feel that through this clinical trial, I might be contributing to the future for cancer patients if this works out."

Learn more about breast cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.