Jenney Bitner, a 38-year-old Washington resident, was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma in early 2020 after an MRI revealed a tumor in her brain. Bitner, who was 22 weeks pregnant at the time, had initially sought care for headaches, nausea, and vomiting, which two urgent care facilities attributed to pregnancy symptoms. The diagnosis followed two falls Bitner experienced after returning from a trip to San Diego.
According to the American Cancer Society, patients with melanoma that has spread to distant organs or the brain have a five-year survival rate of approximately 35%. Bitner's medical team recommended an aggressive treatment plan that required balancing her health with the safety of her unborn child. Because the necessary immunotherapy was not considered safe for the fetus, doctors monitored Bitner for several weeks before delivering her son via C-section at 34 weeks on May 4, 2020.
Following the birth, Bitner underwent a second brain surgery to remove a recurring tumor that had grown back to its full size in the weeks preceding delivery. Surgeons were able to remove the entire mass during the second procedure. In June 2020, Bitner began immunotherapy, a treatment designed to stimulate the immune system's white blood cells to attack cancerous cells. While Bitner experienced side effects including an allergic reaction and encephalitis, her oncologist reported in October 2020 that there was no remaining evidence of disease.
Patients undergoing such treatments may face significant medical costs and severe physical side effects, as evidenced by Bitner's multiple hospitalizations for encephalitis and allergic reactions. For pregnant patients, the diagnosis necessitates complex coordination between oncology and neonatal teams, often resulting in premature births and NICU stays. Bitner's son weighed 3 pounds 12 ounces at birth and required specialized care before being cleared to leave the hospital. These procedures and the subsequent recovery periods can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, though specific figures for Bitner's care were not reported.
The use of immunotherapy in this instance highlights an evolving precedent in oncology for treating aggressive cancers that do not present with traditional external symptoms, such as the skin lesions typically associated with melanoma. As research continues through organizations like the Cancer Research Institute, the availability of these treatments may expand for patients who previously had limited options. Bitner, who has remained cancer-free for nearly six years, continues to advocate for immunotherapy research while monitoring for potential recurrence through regular oncological follow-ups.