Beulah, Michigan – When Mary Witkop discovered a bump on the inside of her right knee in 2016, she sought multiple opinions from doctors, who initially dismissed it as harmless fatty tissue. However, after the mass began to change, a surgeon recommended scans which ultimately led to the diagnosis of an aggressive soft tissue cancer in February 2019.
Following the diagnosis of stage 3 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, Witkop faced uncertainty as no local doctor or hospital specialized in the treatment of sarcomas. She traveled four hours to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to seek treatment, which included radiation therapy, surgery, and the option to participate in a clinical trial investigating the use of pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, in sarcoma treatment.
Despite enduring a challenging surgery that involved removing a significant portion of tissue from her knee, Witkop faced the grim reality that a clean margin (free of cancer cells) was not achieved, increasing the risk of cancer recurrence. However, she remained hopeful that her participation in the clinical trial would improve her chances of a positive outcome.
Sarcomas, cancers originating from connective tissues like muscle and fat, are rare and pose unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. David Kirsch, an expert in radiation medicine, emphasized the difficulty in detecting sarcomas due to their spontaneous development and fast-growing nature.
A breakthrough in sarcoma treatment came through a study led by Kirsch and his team, which explored the efficacy of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab in reducing cancer relapse. The results, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, revealed a significant decrease in relapse rates among patients who received immunotherapy in conjunction with standard treatments.
Witkop, now cancer-free, highlights the importance of clinical trials in offering hope for cancer patients and future generations. Despite facing challenges throughout her treatment journey, she remains grateful for the opportunity to participate in research that ultimately saved her life.
As Witkop reflects on her experience with cancer and the impact of the clinical trial, she emphasizes the importance of emotional support and encourages others to consider participating in groundbreaking research that could potentially save lives. With a newfound perspective on life, Witkop acknowledges the pivotal role of medical advancements in rare diseases and remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the progress of cancer treatment.