Vision Problems Lead to Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis in Young Israeli Woman

Jihan Shalabiya, a 25-year-old non-smoker from the Israeli town of Isfiya, was planning her wedding when she experienced sudden blurred vision in her left eye. Initially dismissing it as minor irritation, the persistent blur and a dark shadow prompted her to seek medical attention. Family doctor referrals led to emergency room examinations, revealing a lesion in her eye causing fluid buildup. Further consultations with Dr. Yonatan Feinberger, an eye specialist at Beilinson Hospital, identified the lesion as a potential metastasis rather than a primary eye tumor, an unusual finding in someone so young.

A subsequent PET-CT scan detected a lung lesion, confirmed as lung cancer by biopsy. Dr. Feinberger noted that eye metastases are rare, occurring in only 1-2% of cancer patients, and it's even rarer for this to be the first symptom leading to diagnosis. Jihan was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer, a particularly rare diagnosis for a healthy 25-year-old.

Before initiating standard treatment, Jihan underwent fertility preservation procedures. A crucial genetic test of the tumor revealed an extremely rare mutation, allowing doctors to prescribe a targeted biological therapy called Tagrisso instead of chemotherapy. Dr. Tomer Meyerson, an oncologist at the Davidoff Cancer Center, described the mutation as exceptionally rare, with only about ten cases documented globally.

Undergoing the targeted therapy for several months, Jihan has shown significant improvement. The lung tumor has markedly regressed, and the eye metastasis is nearly gone, with her vision largely restored. Doctors are optimistic about managing the disease long-term, aiming to make it a chronic condition. Jihan continues her studies and work, advocating for prompt medical attention for any health changes, no matter how minor, and highlighting the advancements in personalized medicine.