Alberto Calle: Young Physician with Lynch Syndrome Fighting Stage Four Gastric Cancer

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For as long as he can remember, Alberto Calle dreamed of becoming a physician in the United States. After years of English classes, medical school, time caring for underserved communities in the Galápagos Islands, and the long journey of exams required to practice here, he finally matched into anesthesia — the moment he had spent more than a decade working toward. But just one week before starting residency, everything changed. Alberto developed severe abdominal pain and rapid weight loss. A scan revealed the unimaginable: stage four gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis.

Living with Lynch Syndrome, Alberto knew he carried a higher cancer risk — but nothing prepares you for being told you have only months to live. He began chemotherapy immediately, often alone, losing more than 50 pounds and struggling to eat or drink. When his condition worsened and he was admitted to the ICU, even his family feared they might lose him.

Then came a turning point. Additional biomarker testing revealed his tumor was Claudin 18.2–positive, making him eligible for a newly approved therapy specifically designed for this biomarker. He began this treatment alongside chemotherapy and immunotherapy in one final attempt to save his life. Slowly, something extraordinary happened. His symptoms eased. The vomiting and ascites resolved. His scans cleared. His tumor markers stayed negative for months. Alberto achieved a complete clinical response that his team still calls miraculous.

Today, Alberto continues on oncological treatment while working full-time as a resident, caring for patients with a depth of empathy shaped by everything he has endured. His journey is one of perseverance, faith, and the belief that even in the darkest moments, hope can rise.
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Oncology
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