What started as a normal milestone for 14-year-old Liliana Castaneda turned into a fight for her life. Heavy bleeding was originally dismissed as stress—but it was actually a rare vaginal cancer.
At the height of the COVID pandemic, 14-year-old Lili Castaneda thought she was getting her first period.
It was supposed to be a normal part of growing up, instead it was the start of a fight for her life.
Lili Castaneda, Vaginal Cancer Survivor
:I got my period one day and it didn't stop for a month. I couldn't stand up without getting dizzy. I had to change my pad every 15, 10 minutes with how heavy it was.”
Lili went to a local doctor and was told it was stress from the pandemic. But the diagnosis didn’t sit right so she kept pushing for answers.
Her persistence may have saved her life. Just before turning 15, Lili learned she had a rare gynecological cancer usually seen in women in their 60s.
Dr. Dario Roque, Gynecologic Oncologist, Northwestern Medicine
“So, Lili had a clear cell carcinoma of the vagina, which is a very rare type of cancer that women get in general, and it's even rarer to get at her age.”
A team of cancer specialists at Northwestern Medicine agreed to take Lili’s case.
They discovered her cancer was so advanced, surgery was not an option. She would need chemotherapy and radiation.
Dr. Jonathan Strauss, Radiation Oncologist, Northwestern Medicine
“In order to make a tumor like this disappear, we have to put in a lot of radiation. And to do that, we put the radiation right inside the tumor.”
Lili responded incredibly well and by March 2021, she was declared cancer-free. Now, at 19, she’s taking nursing classes, inspired by the doctors who saved her life.
Lili Castaneda, Vaginal Cancer Survivor
“I'm in school…second year of college for nursing. I want to help other kids feel better, being able to help them with their journeys.”
Dr. Jonathan Strauss, Radiation Oncologist, Northwestern Medicine
“We knew she was going to do great things no matter what, but when she came out and said she wanted to go to nursing school and that's where she was heading…I'll say the team that took care of her here at Northwestern was very touched.”
Doctors say Lili’s story is an important message for women of all ages: Don’t ignore abnormal bleeding, bleeding after menopause, or unexplained pain.
Lili Castaneda, Vaginal Cancer Survivor
“If you feel something, like something's wrong, don't hesitate and just go get it checked out.”
Source:
Northwestern Medicine
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