One Woman's Journey 

Advances for Lung Cancer Treatment Improves Survival 

When Teresa Liter went to her primary care provider to discuss pain from what she thought were kidney stones, she never imagined the visit would lead to a lung cancer diagnosis. After sharing her concerns with Stefanie Rickhoff, PA, at the Intermountain Health Lockwood Clinic, Liter was referred for a CT scan at St. Vincent Regional Hospital.

“It was by a fluke that we found it,” Liter said. “I was passing kidney stones and Stefanie did my lab work and annual checkup. My platelets were a little high, so she decided to order a scan.”

During the initial scan, a concerning mass was spotted in the bottom of Liter’s lung. Before she left the hospital, Rickhoff ordered another CT scan to get a full image of her lungs. Rickhoff asked Liter to meet her back at the clinic so that she could share the results in person.

“She told me, ‘I’ll be here as long as you need me.’ She stayed late at the clinic to meet with me and my husband and went through the X-rays and everything. By the time I got there, she had called oncology, scheduled the brain MRI, the CT scan, and the lung biopsy. Everything was set up,” Liter said.

Liter was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Genetic testing revealed she was predisposed to lung cancer and helped to direct her treatment options. Her treatment included chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. She worked closely with her oncology care team to ensure she was doing everything she could do to fight the spread of her cancer.

Stephanie Rickoff, PA

Liter’s courage was especially evident during her radiation treatments. “They targeted the nodes and the grapefruit-size tumor in my lung,” she said. “I had to do breathing exercises every day so I could make sure I could do the radiation and hold my breath. I had to keep the tumor very still for the radiation to target it. It was tough, but I was determined.”

She has responded well to the treatments. Almost a year later, she is finishing her final treatments with the hope of her cancer being in remission. Liter credits her incredible progress to the advancements in lung cancer treatment.

“For me, immunotherapy was a game changer,” Liter said. “Lung cancer patients didn’t have the same options...20 years ago or even 10 years ago.”

Liter has personal knowledge and experience, as she lost her father to lung cancer. “Back then, your chances of survival were very, very minimal. Now there’s hope,” she said.

Throughout her treatment, Liter has made a point to bring that same hope to others undergoing treatment at the Intermountain Health Cancer Centers of Montana. “I like to introduce myself and talk to other patients, especially those who are newly diagnosed and waiting for their appointments,” she said. “I just try to check in on them and let them know they’re not alone.”

She credits her care team, especially Rickhoff, for her outcome. “When I saw her recently, I gave her the biggest hug and I just told her she saved my life, because she did,” she said.

“The past decade has seen a shift toward precision medicine in lung cancer, with targeted and immune therapies now central to management, resulting in substantial survival gains and improved quality of life for many patients,” said Rickhoff.

Liter also encourages others to be proactive about their health. “Go see your primary care provider and establish that relationship. It’s because I had that relationship that we even caught it,” she said.

Lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when it is much harder to treat, but advancements in screening and treatment are continuously improving survival rates. If you have a history of smoking, a family history of lung cancer, or have any concerns, Rickhoff encourages individuals with questions to speak with their primary care provider or to learn more about screenings visit Lung Cancer Screenings. 

Liter is grateful for her family, her care team, and the chance to share her story. 

“Whether you have cancer or not, you need to be present each day and be thankful,” she said.

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About St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Founded on our mission of compassionate care 125 years ago, St. Vincent Regional Hospital, part of Intermountain Health, has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in our four-state area. Continuing to respond to the needs of our community, we have been recognized as an innovator in trauma, heart, neurological and cancer care. At St. Vincent and Intermountain Health, our 12 primary care clinics, and specialty clinics in and around the Billings area, our goal is to help you live the healthiest lives possible. This also includes caring for the region's youngest patients. We opened the region's first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and the western Dakotas.