one A 30-year-old mum-of-two was given just three months to live after battling an aggressive form of cancer for the past two years. Erika Diarte-Carr lives in Utah with her 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. Now she is raising money to pay for her own funeral and set up a trust fund for her children’s futures.
Diarte-Carr has been battling small cell lung cancer since 2022.
“The doctors then told me that multiple tumors had metastasized to other parts of my body, including my bones, which is how we found the tumor that was causing the pain in my shoulder,” Diat-Kal wrote in her letter road. “By then, the damage had been done. In that moment, my entire life and that of my children and everyone around us was forever changed.”
Diarte-Carr initially started a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $5,000 to pay for funeral expenses. So far, more than 30,000 donors have contributed more than $1 million to her fundraising campaign.
In addition to the cancer diagnosis, Diat-Kal was also diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome in 2024.
Here is information about the diagnosis and prognosis of these conditions.
What is small cell lung cancer?
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive form of lung cancer that accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of all lung cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society. SCLC tends to grow and spread rapidly, making it particularly dangerous and challenging to treat.
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reason
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the most common cause of SCLC is smoking. Carcinogens found in cigarette smoke can cause damage to lung cells, causing mutations and ultimately cancer. Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos and certain industrial chemicals, according to the NCI.
symptom
Early symptoms of SCLC can be subtle and often mistaken for less serious disease. However, as the cancer progresses, more severe symptoms may occur, including persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, wheezing, and coughing up blood, according to Yale University Medical Center.
Because SCLC grows and spreads quickly, these symptoms can escalate quickly if not caught early.
treat
To properly diagnose SCLC, doctors usually start with imaging tests such as chest X-rays or CT scans to identify any abnormal growths, according to the NCI. If a tumor is detected, a biopsy is usually done to analyze the tissue for cancer cells. Treatment for SCLC depends on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health. Options include:
- Chemotherapy: This method uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It is usually the first-line treatment in both limited and extensive stages.
- Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. It is often used in combination with chemotherapy, especially in limited-stage SCLC.
- Immunotherapy: This is a newer approach in which drugs stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It is becoming an important part of treatment plans, especially for patients with extensive-stage SCLC.
- Surgery: Because SCLC spreads rapidly, surgery is rarely used, but in very early cases, surgery may be an option.
prognosis
Unfortunately, the prognosis of SCLC is poor. SCLC often relapses even with treatment, and five-year survival rates are poor, especially for patients with extensive-stage disease, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Help is being provided to extend survival and improve quality of life, giving patients new hope.
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Cushing’s syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism, is a rare hormonal imbalance that occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of cortisol for an extended period of time.
Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone” and plays an important role in regulating blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and the body’s response to stress. However, when there is too much cortisol, it can lead to a variety of health problems.
reason
According to the National Institutes of Health, the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is long-term use of corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone, which are often used to treat asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other inflammatory diseases. These drugs mimic cortisol, and when taken in high doses over a long period of time, they can cause an overdose of the hormone in the body.
In rare cases, Cushing’s syndrome occurs because the body produces too much cortisol on its own. This may be caused by:
- Pituitary gland tumors: Noncancerous tumors in the pituitary gland stimulate overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn prompts the adrenal glands to release excess cortisol.
- Adrenal Gland Tumors: Benign tumors of the adrenal glands themselves can directly cause the gland to overproduce cortisol.
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome: This condition causes tumors to grow in other parts of the body, such as the lungs or pancreas, producing ACTH. This causes the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol.
symptom
Cushing’s syndrome can manifest in many ways, and symptoms can be widespread because cortisol affects many body functions. According to the National Institutes of Health, some common symptoms include weight gain, especially around the abdomen and face (often called “moon face”), fat deposits on the shoulders, thinning of the skin, purple stretch marks, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness and fatigue.
These symptoms may appear gradually and are often mistaken for other health conditions, delaying diagnosis.
treat
Treatment for Cushing’s syndrome depends on its cause. Treatment options include:
- Reduce corticosteroid use: If the syndrome is caused by long-term use of corticosteroids, your doctor may adjust the dose or recommend an alternative medication.
- Surgery: For pituitary gland or adrenal gland tumors, surgery is usually required to remove the growth.
- Radiation therapy: If surgery is not possible or the tumor is not completely removed, radiation therapy may be used to shrink or eliminate the tumor.
- Medications: For people who cannot have surgery, medications may be used to reduce cortisol production. Cortisol levels can be controlled with medications such as ketoconazole, mitotane, or metyrapone.
prognosis
With appropriate treatment, many people with Cushing’s syndrome can experience significant improvement in their symptoms. However, if left untreated, Cushing’s syndrome can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, diabetes and infections, according to the National Institutes of Health. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to improving the outlook for patients with this disease.
