Athlete's Stomach Pain Reveals Stage 4 Cancer

Khalil Smith, a freshman running back at West Virginia Wesleyan College, dealt with persistent stomach pain for over six months. He lost 30 pounds but initially believed the weight loss was due to intense football training. After his father scheduled a doctor's appointment, tests revealed internal bleeding and massive tumors blocking his colon. Smith was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.

After undergoing two major surgeries and 12 rounds of chemotherapy without full success, Smith sought a second opinion. Doctors tested him for Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that predisposes individuals to colon cancer. Once diagnosed, Smith began immunotherapy, which allowed him to live a relatively normal life during treatment. Doctors stopped the immunotherapy in mid-2024, and he has remained cancer-free since. Smith eventually returned to football for one final season before retiring due to nerve damage, and he now works as a personal trainer.

As a 19-year-old freshman running back, Khalil Smith lived away from home while training and studying. He experienced a strange, persistent, stabbing pain that returned daily for more than six months. Over-the-counter remedies like Tums and dietary changes did not alleviate the discomfort. The pain became so severe that Smith could only consume chocolate milk and mixed fruit from the dining hall.

Smith noticed he was getting skinnier but dismissed it as a natural result of training hard. It was not until the springtime, after he turned 20, that the severity of his weight loss became apparent. While visiting home, Smith stepped on a scale and registered 155 pounds, having lost 30 pounds in half a year. His father immediately called a doctor to schedule an appointment for the next day.

Following a few visits, doctors discovered Smith was bleeding internally. He was sent to the hospital for a colonoscopy, but the medical team could not get the camera through his colon because it was completely blocked. Doctors later informed Smith that he had tumors as large as a pineapple, weighing a total of five pounds. Two of the tumors had broken open and were spreading throughout his body. Smith was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, which was aggressive and traveling throughout his system.

Smith expressed shock at the diagnosis, noting that he was a young athlete who appeared healthy. He acknowledged that doctors are increasingly diagnosing young people with late-stage, aggressive colon cancers decades earlier than what is considered normal.

Smith described getting cancer as feeling like his free will was ripped away. He lived in the hospital and underwent major surgery to remove part of his colon. He was fitted with a temporary colostomy bag and required physical therapy to re-learn basic movements like getting up and using the toilet. Additionally, Smith had a port installed for chemotherapy infusions, lost his hair, and dealt with the exhaustion caused by toxic treatments.

Even after the initial rounds of treatment, doctors continued to find cancer in his body. Smith underwent a second major surgery, received another temporary colostomy bag, and started a new type of chemotherapy for six more months. After completing two major surgeries and 12 rounds of chemo, the cancer remained. Frustrated by the repeating cycle of treatments that failed to eradicate the disease, Smith felt like a "test patient."

With help from his football coaches, Smith sought a second opinion out of state. Doctors tested him for Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. This condition predisposes people to several types of cancers, particularly colon cancer, usually in their 40s and 50s. Once the proper diagnosis was established, the disease became easier to treat.

Oncologists recently discovered that Lynch syndrome responds well to immunotherapy, a treatment that recruits the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Smith returned to his doctor, who agreed to switch approaches to immunotherapy without the use of chemotherapy. The difference was immediate; Smith was able to live a relatively normal life with approximately 80% of his energy levels, a major improvement from his time on chemo.

Doctors stopped Smith's immunotherapy treatments completely in mid-2024, and he has been all clear since. He continues to undergo scans every three months and remains aware that his condition puts him at a lifelong higher risk of developing cancer due to mutations in his DNA. Throughout his treatment, Smith prioritized attending school to maintain a sense of normalcy. He set a goal to graduate on time, even if he could no longer be an athlete.

Smith also maintained a strict exercise routine during his treatments. Even while receiving chemotherapy infusions, he would walk three to five miles on a track. He believes that keeping his body active helped manage the side effects of the treatment. After two years away from the sport, Smith returned to the football team for his senior year. However, he suffered from neuropathy, a type of treatment-related nerve damage that caused tingling and numbness in his hands and feet. This sensitivity to cold and lack of feeling made it difficult to catch a football or run effectively.

Smith decided to quit football, though he was grateful to play one last season on his own terms. He has since changed his diet, moving away from brightly colored cereals and junk food to focus on lean proteins and leafy greens. He now works as a personal trainer, helping others who were inspired by his recovery. Smith has also begun giving back by running clothing drives and donating snacks and blankets to his local hospital for other cancer patients.

Khalil Smith's journey from a college athlete to a cancer survivor highlights the importance of listening to one's body and seeking second opinions. His experience with Lynch syndrome and immunotherapy offers a perspective on advanced cancer treatment.

The following frequently asked questions address the core elements of his diagnosis and recovery.

What is Lynch syndrome?

Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition, sometimes called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, that predisposes individuals to various cancers, specifically colon cancer. It typically manifests in a patient's 40s and 50s, though Smith was diagnosed in his early 20s.

How did immunotherapy help?

Immunotherapy utilizes the patient's own immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. For Smith, it allowed him to avoid further toxic chemotherapy and maintain a high level of energy during treatment.