Book review: The Cancer War by Anthony Herrera

July 12, 6:00 PMBlood Cancers ExaminerCathy Doheny

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(image courtesy of Anthony Herrera)

The Cancer War, a memoir by mantle cell lymphoma survivor and soap star Anthony Herrera, is an awe-inspiring story of courage in the face of a deadly cancer. Best known for his role as James Stenbeck on "As the World Turns", Herrera was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma particularly resistant to standard treatment regimens, in 1997 and was told, "You are going to die." After being treated at Sloan-Kettering with chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and an autologous bone marrow transplant, he relapsed just 18 months later.

In 1999, Herrera was admitted to MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he made medical history in the treatment of lymphoma by being one of the pioneer patients to successfully undergo a non-ablative stem cell transplant using donor cells from his brother, John.  This proved that many lymphomas could be treated by immune modulation only without the need for the toxic high dose chemotherapy that was once considered essential for stem cell/marrow transplantation.

In 2000, Herrera relapsed, and Rituxan plus a donor lymphocyte infusion was recommended to control the lymphoma. Before any treatment was started, repeat scans showed a reduction in disease activity, offering proof that his new immune system was fighting the cancer on its own. Though four rounds of high-dose Rituxan were administered, it was concluded that the "Graft vs. Lymphoma" result of the revolutionary transplant was positive news for fighting cancer and other diseases, and has most likely been the key to Herrera's continued remission since then.

The Cancer War is a compelling account of Herrera's personal journey through unchartered territory. He describes with precision the foreign medical world into which he is quickly forced, without so much detail that the book feels solely like a medical reference book with no soul. His life as a soap star is fascinating and adds even greater interest to the memoir, as he works to maintain his career while fighting for his life. His determination to survive and the inspiration he finds through literature, movies, and nature also deepen the perspective shared in this memoir.

Related Article: Interview with soap star and stem cell transplant recipient Anthony Herrera (Organ and Tissue Donor Examiner)

For more info: Read "The Cancer War" online free-of-charge,  Purchase "The Cancer War" on Amazon.com,