Hundreds of thousands of people with advanced head and neck cancer could live longer without their cancer returning, thanks to an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab. Clinical trials suggest that the drug is the first breakthrough for patients with this difficult-to-treat cancer in 20 years. Laura Marston (pictured), 45, from Derbyshire, UK, said she’s amazed that she’s still here, given the dire chances of survival following a diagnosis of stage 4 tongue cancer six years ago. She received the immunotherapy before and after surgery to remove part of her tongue. Researchers say giving immunotherapy before and after surgery helps the body learn to attack the cancer if it returns. More than half of those diagnosed with advanced head and neck cancers die within five years. Laura was given only a 30% chance of surviving that long after her diagnosis in 2019. Six years on, she is working full-time and says she’s in a good place and doing well. Despite losing a third of her tongue, doctors were able to remove skin from her left arm to reconstruct her tongue. Today, she’s not only able to eat, swallow and talk normally, she has even written a recipe book to help other tongue cancer patients with their recovery. “Food wise, I’m eating normally,” said Marston. "I have no limitations and I can even talk on the phone."
