Regina Henneman had spent her career caring for patients as a registered nurse. Then, in 2009, she became one herself after discovering she had one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of cancer.
Seventeen years later, after surviving the disease twice, the 83-year-old Mokena resident is once again cancer-free and hopes her story gives others facing a rare diagnosis reason to keep fighting.
Henneman credits her care team at the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute in Orland Park with helping her achieve remission after angiosarcoma returned in her right lung more than a decade after her original diagnosis.
“When I was diagnosed, I had never even heard of angiosarcoma,” Henneman said. “I went into the office full of nurses and no one had heard of it. I went to the medical library and looked it up.”
What first appeared to be bruising near her temple was initially believed to be a hematoma. Further testing revealed angiosarcoma, an exceptionally rare cancer that develops in the lining of blood and lymph vessels.
Sarcomas account for less than 1% of all adult cancers, and angiosarcoma is even more uncommon, affecting roughly one person per million in the United States each year.
Because of its rarity, diagnosis and treatment often require physicians with specialized expertise.
“Proper diagnosis and treatment of angiosarcoma can be especially challenging,” said Dr. Yazan Numan, a medical oncologist at the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute. “At a comprehensive cancer center, patients have access to specialists who understand the nuances of this rare disease, along with advanced diagnostic tools, innovative treatment options and clinical research opportunities that may not be available elsewhere.”
Over the years, Henneman underwent six surgeries, radiation therapy and multiple rounds of chemotherapy as doctors worked to control the disease.
“I had multiple Taxol infusions, which were physically debilitating, but it saved me because I had no active cancer until 2025,” she said.
After relocating to Mokena, Henneman established care with Numan after a recommendation from her primary care physician. Routine surveillance scans remained clear for years until she began coughing up blood in 2025.
Tests revealed the cancer had spread to her right lung.
Because Henneman had experienced significant complications from chemotherapy in the past, her medical team explored a different option.
“Historically, treatment options for angiosarcoma have been limited, particularly for patients who may not tolerate chemotherapy well,” Numan said. “Emerging research suggests that immunotherapy may benefit some patients with this disease, and Regina’s case demonstrates the potential of this approach.”
Her physicians developed a personalized treatment plan that combined the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, commonly known by its brand name Keytruda, with radiation therapy. Specialists from multiple disciplines worked together to coordinate her care and obtain insurance approval before treatment began.
Henneman said the difference from chemotherapy was dramatic.
“Keytruda is so much better than the chemotherapy,” she said. “I had zero side effects.”
Today, imaging shows no evidence of disease. She continues receiving immunotherapy while remaining under close medical surveillance.
“Every patient’s situation is unique, and optimal care depends on collaboration,” Numan said. “By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines, we can evaluate every available option and develop a coordinated treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs. Regina’s outcome reflects the value of that team-based approach.”
Now back to spending time with her family and enjoying an active retirement, Henneman hopes sharing her experience will offer encouragement to others diagnosed with rare cancers.
“I would like to help anyone through this because many patients are told angiosarcoma is deadly, and it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “If I can help one person in the world, I want to do this.”