A 53-year-old Florida woman, Dr. Tina Willits, diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in March 2022, has achieved complete remission following an experimental treatment combining cryoablation and immunotherapy. Initially given 24 months to live, Dr. Willits sought alternative therapies after conventional palliative chemotherapy showed limited success. Her case underscores the potential of innovative approaches for advanced cancers and highlights the importance of patient advocacy in exploring treatment options.
Diagnosis and Initial Treatment
Dr. Willits' diagnosis revealed extensive metastasis, with tumors in her breast, ribs, spine, lymph nodes, and legs. Deemed unsuitable for a mastectomy, she was placed on palliative chemotherapy. Determined to fight the disease, she researched alternative treatments and discovered the Williams Cancer Institute, founded by Dr. Jason Williams.
Novel Treatment Approach
The Williams Cancer Institute, located in Mexico due to regulatory constraints in the US, offered a treatment regimen combining cryoablation and immunotherapy. Cryoablation involved inserting a small metal probe into the tumor to freeze and destroy cancer cells using cold gases. Following cryoablation, Dr. Willits received eight immunotherapy drugs directly into the tumor, designed to stimulate her immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Treatment Outcome and Follow-Up
Following the treatment, a six-week scan revealed the complete disappearance of tumors and cancerous growths. Dr. Willits continued with four additional rounds of chemotherapy and undergoes regular PET scans every six months to monitor for any recurrence. To date, the cancer has not been detected, although she needs to remain cancer-free for five years to be declared fully cured. The treatment cost $65,000, which she funded by cashing in her life insurance policy.
The Williams Cancer Institute Perspective
Dr. Williams developed the treatment regimen over several years and is currently conducting a trial on hard-to-treat prostate cancer patients. Early results indicate a survival rate exceeding 50 percent, compared to the 34 percent five-year survival rate for stage 4 prostate cancer patients. While specific survival statistics for breast cancer patients at the Williams Cancer Institute are not available, the overall survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer patients is approximately 31 percent.
Patient Advocacy and Future Directions
Dr. Willits is sharing her story to raise awareness of the treatment and encourage medical professionals to consider alternative approaches for cancer patients. She emphasizes the importance of patient empowerment and the need for oncologists to be open to innovative therapies. Dr. Willits' experience highlights the potential of combined cryoablation and immunotherapy in achieving remission in advanced breast cancer cases, warranting further investigation and clinical trials.
