- Steve, 57
Optimizing treatment choice for colon cancer.
Steve was shocked by a colon cancer diagnosis following a routine colonoscopy. After discovery during surgery that the tumor had progressed more than expected, Steve’s doctor brought up the option of adjuvant chemotherapy. Concerned about the potential side effects of chemotherapy, Steve met with an Ardynn advocate to gain understanding and clarity regarding his prognosis and available options which ultimately helped Steve make a treatment decision that felt right based on what was most important to him.
About
Married with grown children. Planning to retire in a few years. Very active. Cycles competitively.
Priorities
Keep working. Continue cycling as much as possible. Keep retirement plans on track.
Key Concern
Chemotherapy and its possible side effects on his day-to-day life.
Treatment Decision
Surgery Only
Steve is an active 57-year-old, married with three grown children. He is a corporate attorney who is looking forward to retirement and moving to California to enjoy his sunset years. Steve cycles competitively in his free time. His biggest race to date is this spring, and he has been training extensively for it.
Recently diagnosed with colon cancer following a routine colonoscopy, the diagnosis shocks Steve because he has always been healthy and active. He proceeds with surgery as quickly as possible. During surgery it is discovered that the tumor was larger than expected, but the surgeon believes they removed the tumor with good margins. Steve is given the option of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Steve is looking for answers. He is very concerned about the potential side effects of chemotherapy affecting his ability to litigate, cycle, and enjoy day-to-day life. His employer offers Ardynn as a benefit. Steve meets with an Ardynn advocate and discusses his treatment goals and preferences. Steve’s advocate helps him understand his pathology reports, prognosis, and the side effects associated with chemotherapy, and then takes him through the outcomes data for other cancer patients ‘like him’ – meaning, Steve’s same age, sex, race, cancer type, and overall health status.
Outcomes for people like me
Information about Steve
Diagnosis: Colon Cancer
Age: 57
Sex: M
Race/Ethnicity: Black
Comorbidity Score: Mild
Histology: Carcinoma
T (Primary): T1
N (Regional): N0
M (Distant): M0
Real-world survival outcomes for people like Steve
Scroll to view columns >
| Survival Curve | Graphically Depicted | After 1 yr | After 2 yrs | After 3 yrs | After 4 yrs | After 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total population The dark blue line depicts estimated survival for similar individuals | 99% | 98% | 97% | 96% | 95% | |
| Similar patients, same type of cancer, no treatment The orange line depicts estimated survival for similar individuals who did not receive treatment for their Colon Cancer. | 79% | 67% | 58% | 52% | 46% | |
| Treatment(s): Surgery The light blue line depicts estimated survival for similar individuals treated with surgery. | 96% | 94% | 92% | 90% | 89% | |
| Treatment(s): Surgery and Chemotherapy The green line depicts estimated survival for similar individuals treated with surgery and chemotherapy. | 97% | 95% | 93% | 92% | 91% |
Treatment decision
After seeing the data and understanding that chemotherapy does not significantly impact his survival, Steve discusses forgoing chemotherapy with his doctor. Together they decide to proceed with surgery, forgoing adjuvant chemotherapy, while increasing the frequency of screenings. This choice resulted in the estimated 5-year survival rates and a better quality of life for Steve.
This story is illustrative based on a real Ardynn case; name and likeness of the member has been changed to respect their privacy.
“Seeing Ardynn’s proprietary outcomes data for people like me with the same type of cancer – and having my advocate share insights about it – was a game changer. It helped me make confident treatment decisions and gave me peace of mind.”
STEVE
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