Astonishing results for patients with stage 4 rectal cancer

Oncologists at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital have seen astonishing results for two young patients with stage 4 colorectal cancer using immunotherapy drug Dostalimab.

One of the patients is Brodie Sawyer who just six months ago was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer.

Amazingly after just six months of treatment on this specialised drug, Brodie is cancer free.

“I was given an 80% survival rate with a guaranteed chance of losing my prostate and a permanent colostomy bag,” Brodie said.

“It wasn't a very good feeling.”

Medical Oncologist at SCGH Dr Rajiv Shinde said this immunotherapy is an option for those who have locally advanced rectal cancer with mismatched repair deficiency.

“Ongoing research has shown promising results associated with improved clinical outcomes for these patients,” he said.

The immunotherapy activates the body's own defence system to go and find and get rid of the cancer cells. The drug is administered as an injection, saving stays in hospital and side effects common with other traditional treatments.

As cases of colorectal cancer rise in those under 49, Brodie Sawyer is calling on young Australians to not ignore their symptoms.

“There's more and more younger people going down with these cancers," Brodie said.

"Just because you think I'm too young for that, it's definitely not the case.”