Client Story

Colorectal Cancer Recurrence 

A closeup of a man's head looking out a window

Presentation

A 62-year-old male client established services with PHM for access to comprehensive, personalized healthcare support.

He had a history of rectal cancer. His PHM Personal Care Team began with an initial engagement to set a comprehensive surveillance plan.

PHM Actions

PHM recommended personalized circulating tumor DNA monitoring every six months.

A monitoring result indicated a potential recurrence while the client remained completely asymptomatic.

An initial PET scan did not reveal any issues.

However, a repeat test showed a significant spike. PHM advocated for repeat imaging, which revealed increased metabolic activity at the coloanal anastomosis from the previous rectal tumor resection and the rapid onset of two metastases in the right liver.

Outcome

Given the astonishing rate of growth, if this recurrence were not detected before symptoms arose, he likely would have been found with widely metastatic aggressive disease and treated with palliative chemotherapy. 

Instead, he was able to receive neoadjuvant therapy and proceed to surgical resection.

He is recovering nicely and completing adjuvant therapy.

PHM continues to support his recovery and monitor diligently given high risk of recurrence.

The PHM Difference

The adoption of ctDNA monitoring for molecular residual disease enabled the early detection of an aggressive cancer recurrence while the patient’s condition remained fully resectable. PHM’s diverse offerings seamlessly integrated to address all of this gentleman’s needs with the high level of service required for his intense situation. 

A mother and daughter laugh in nature.

Discover our Why Wall

See more success stories on our
Wall of Purpose

See More Stories