The immunotherapy trial that improved Kathleen’s outlook

Kathleen Grey was happily retired from her work as a palaeontologist and was writing a book when she was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2018.

Oesophageal cancer begins when abnormal cells develop in the oesophagus. In Australian patients it is most commonly found in the lower section of the oesophagus, adjoining the stomach.

The diagnoses came as a shock to her as she also learned the cancer had metastasised and spread to her lymph glands and other organs.

Kathleen took part in an immunotherapy trial to trigger her immune system to fight the cancer. To her delight the trial was successful in shrinking the tumours.

“I don’t think I would be here if I hadn’t gone on the trial,” she said.

Hear from Kathleen in this video, available at the Bristol Myers Squibb Australia YouTube channel.

Oesophageal cancer: the facts

The main types of oesophageal cancer are:

• Adenocarcinoma which often starts near the gastro-oesophageal junction. It is linked with Barrett’s oesophagus. This is the most common form of oesophageal cancer in Australia.
• Squamous cell carcinoma which starts in the cells that line the oesophagus.
• It is estimated that more than 1,700 people were diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in Australia in 2023.
• The average age at diagnosis is 71 years old.
• Oesophageal cancer is slow-growing and usually detected in advanced stages, as there may not be any symptoms in the early stages.

Source: Cancer Council Australia, 2024 https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/oesophageal-cancer