Young father defies odds after advanced lung cancer diagnosis

A rare genetic mutation, expert care and love for his family helped Zachary Sandford rebuild his life after a shocking advanced lung cancer diagnosis.

Zachary (Zach) Sandford was living a full and active life in Dover, New York. Until persistent flu-like symptoms and losing his voice for months landed him in the emergency department in acute respiratory distress. Zach, a loving son, the oldest of four siblings and an adoring partner and father, had advanced lung cancer. He was only 30 years old.

Lung cancer blocks big plans for young couple

Zach was a land surveyor who loved his job, practiced jujitsu, spent time outdoors and cherished moments with his family, fiancée Gina and their 4-year-old daughter, Lilliana.

“They’re a good bunch — we’re tight-knit,” Zach said. “My family is the most important thing in my life.”

He and Gina had big plans, including buying a home and planning their wedding. But in late 2023, what started as lingering flu-like symptoms quickly turned into something far more serious.

Early lung cancer symptoms

Over a four-week period, Zach experienced recurring flu symptoms. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler, which helped — except for a stubborn cough. Then, he completely lost his voice.

“It was frustrating. I couldn’t pitch my voice. One-on-one conversations were fine, but no one could hear me in a crowded room,” Zach said.

His ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor found his left vocal cord was paralyzed and recommended an MRI. Zach delayed the scan at first — his voice was improving, and he was nervous about what it might show. But when he started getting short of breath while training for jujitsu, he followed through.

The results were devastating. 

“My ENT called at 4 pm on a Monday and said there was something in my chest — my entire left lung had collapsed,” Zach said. “It was shocking.”

Emergency care and a complex airway procedure for lung cancer

That same night, Zach went to the Vassar Brothers Medical Center emergency department and was admitted to the hospital.

“Zach was very sick and in acute respiratory distress,” said Dr. Pradnya Patil, the director of thoracic oncology research at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

A CT scan revealed a large tumor in the left lung airway causing it to collapse. The tumor was encroaching on the right lung, trachea (breathing airway) and esophagus (food airway). There were also nodules (small masses) in the right lung and nearby lymph nodes. 

“A lot happened in a very short period. I didn’t have time to be scared — that came later,” Zach said. “I buttoned down and put my game face on.”

To stabilize his airways, Dr. Tanmay Panchabhai, an interventional pulmonologist at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, planned a complex intervention.

“The tumor was pressing against his airways in a very difficult area. We needed to place a stent to keep his airways open,” Dr. Panchabhai explained.

Zach remembers feeling overwhelmed. 

“I was scared before the procedure but also had a feeling everything was going to be OK,” he said. 

Surrounded by visits from family, friends and even his boss, Zach found strength: “That gave me a lot of courage and hope.”

Dr. Panchabhai and the endoscopy team successfully placed a customized Y-shaped tracheal stent to stabilize Zach’s airways and lungs. A customized Y-shaped tracheal stent is a novel procedure to help those with severely narrow airways from advanced cancer.

Fighting advanced lung cancer with strength and support

Zach recovered in the intensive care unit (ICU) for two days. 

“Those days were tough. I was hooked to monitors and could barely move. I tried to eat and drink but mostly stuck to protein shakes and water because my throat was so sore,” he said.

He recovered enough to move to a the medical/surgical hospital unit. That’s when he received the news: He had stage 4 lung cancer. 

“The room got really quiet. I went numb,” Zach said. “I couldn’t believe it — I wasn’t even a smoker. I had so many questions and didn’t know where to start.”

Radiation therapy began almost immediately. 

“Zach’s life was in imminent danger and the airway intervention by Dr. Panchabhai was critically important,” said Dr. Patil, who specializes in thoracic medical oncology at the Dyson Center for Cancer Care. “The stent allowed him to breathe, which made it possible to begin radiation and relieve pressure from the tumor.”

Zach had 10 radiation treatments while still in the hospital and continued with outpatient sessions. 

“It was surreal to be in the radiation machine. But everyone in the radiation department was so kind,” Zach said. “They always asked me what I wanted to listen to, and that was huge because I love music and have crazy playlists. They put on songs I liked, and it made a big difference.”

Life after a lung cancer diagnosis

After being discharged from the hospital, Zach had frequent bronchoscopies to monitor the tumor and check the stent. 

“It was a lot to go through. I had only ever had my tonsils out, and suddenly, I was getting regular procedures for cancer,” he said.

Still, progress followed. 

“The tumor was shrinking, and my airway was opening. That gave us a huge amount of hope and strength,” Zach said.

Zach also had chemotherapy.

“That was tough. I never imagined I’d be getting chemo,” he said. “Everyone at the infusion center was amazing. Gina and I would pass the time watching shows or reading.”

Fatigue, hair loss and appetite loss followed. But then Zach got good news on Halloween 2024: A PET scan showed the cancer hadn’t spread.

By November, he began to feel better. He could eat more and even take Lilliana to the park. Then came another breakthrough.

Learn more about lung cancer care at the Nuvance Health Cancer Institute, part of Northwell Health.

Targeted therapy for lung cancer brings hope

The Vassar Brothers Medical Center cancer care team recommends genetic testing for most cancer patients. It was especially important in Zach’s case because of his age. He was so young to have advanced lung cancer, especially as a non-smoker. 

Genomic testing — a process that examines cancer at the molecular level — revealed an ALK mutation, a rare genetic driver of cancer growth.

“Thanks to modern technology, we could study his tumor’s makeup,” Dr. Patil said. “The ALK mutation allowed us to treat him with targeted therapy — a drug specifically designed to shut off the mutation fueling his cancer. Within days of starting the medication, the tumor started to melt away. And within a few months, his left lung was no longer collapsed, and the airway stent could be removed.”

Zach responded well to the treatment and tolerated the medication with only mild side effects. Nearly a year from when his symptoms originally started, Zach was starting to return to normal.

“I feel amazing and am back to my old self,” Zach said. “I still need to be mindful of my health, but I’m here — and I’m living.”

A bright future after lung cancer

“Today, Zach has about 70% of his expected lung function — a remarkable achievement given the cancer’s severity,” Dr. Panchabhai said.

“Zach’s experience is an example of how scientific advances have changed the outlook of lung cancer in the last decade,” Dr. Patil said.

Zach is back at work and enjoying life with his family. He’s looking forward to seeing Lilliana start kindergarten this fall. Zach and Gina are also planning to buy a house and set a date for their wedding!

“Gina and I had big plans at the start of 2024, and then this huge obstacle happened. It feels like we have a fresh start with a lot of good ahead in 2025,” Zach said.
 

“I can’t put into words how much I love Gina and Lilliana. I would do anything for them and am so happy to still be here for them,” he added.

And to the team at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Zach offers deep gratitude: “I cannot express how thankful I am to Dr. Panchabhai, Dr. Patil and the entire team. Everyone was so concerned, caring and helpful. They kept me informed and gave me the best care possible.”

Disclaimer: Outcomes from lung cancer treatment vary from person to person. No individual results should be seen as typical.