In 2019 , Susan Stewart was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial uterine cancer . Four months after completing the treatment elsewhere , the cancer returned and she was given six months to live . That ’ s when she turned to UAB
Medicine .
In 2019 , Susan Stewart was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial uterine cancer . Four months after completing the treatment elsewhere , the cancer returned and she was given six months to live . That ’ s when she turned to UAB Medicine . After enrolling in a clinical trial involving the use of an immunotherapy treatment , Stewart ’ s cancer was greatly reduced within six months .
When the cancer started growing again nine months later , the information gained from her participation in the trial led UAB Medicine gynecologic oncologist Warner Huh , M . D ., senior scientist at the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB , to recommend a different immunotherapy . That “ educated guess ,” as Stewart calls it , also worked , and she is currently in remission .
“ By being in the clinical trial , I benefited twice ,” Stewart said . “ First was the great reduction in my cancer from the treatment . The second was when it informed Dr . Huh ’ s decision to put me on a certain immunotherapy . Enrollment into the trial was a gift that changed the course of my life .”
Stewart says the parameters of the initial clinical trial “ seemed to be written specifically for my cancer ,” and Dr . Huh agrees with that assessment .
“ To have a trial that fits her rare type of cancer was really uncommon ,” Dr . Huh said . “ I thought it was an enormous opportunity for her to have access to this type of therapy right here in Alabama . She ’ s not in the trial anymore , but it was a huge stepping stone for getting her to where she needs to be . She currently has an extraordinarily well-controlled cancer .”
Because of the dire prognosis Stewart received in 2019 , she was not hesitant about participating in a clinical trial . In fact , she thought it was a wonderful opportunity .
“ My husband and I were thrilled for me to be enrolled in that ,” Stewart said . “ It meant I was going to be getting state-of-the-art treatment that would be less harsh than conventional chemo . It meant that the health benefits and side effects would be closely monitored . And I was going to be participating in something that others may benefit from .”
Indeed , the nature of clinical trials means that patients are closely observed and monitored , helping ensure that the level of care is not reduced .
“ We pay such close attention to the patients in terms of how they ’ re tolerating the drug and the therapy , making sure they ’ re responding well ,” Dr . Huh said . “ This process was transformative for her in terms of her overall clinical experience . When it came to improving her quality of life , the trial afforded her things that I don ’ t think she could ’ ve wrapped her mind around at the beginning .”
Stewart ’ s mind is much more at ease now , as she has experienced firsthand the benefits of clinical trials and the care provided at UAB Medicine .
“ The UAB Medicine OB / GYN Oncology Clinic at the Women & Infants Center is superior , bar none ,” Stewart said . “ Not only was I being treated , but I was also educated on which symptoms are serious , which ones aren ’ t , and how to manage the symptoms . You learn how to take care of yourself with cancer . Instead of just treating the illness while you ’ re there , they are also treating the patient and the family in an ongoing collaboration .” ❚■
ABOVE : Susan Stewart and Warner Huh , M . D . BELOW : Stewart and her husband , Robert
SUSAN STEWART