Vision problem leads to man's stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, new drug extends survival

A former Ironman triathlete was stunned to learn that his vision problems were actually the first sign of stage 4 lung cancer. Dave Nitsche, 57, was initially given just 12 to 24 months to live – but a newly approved drug has helped him surpass that timeframe by several years. "In 2019, I noticed that I was having trouble seeing with my left eye," the Canadian man shared during an interview with Fox News Digital. "I went to the optometrist, and they said it was probably a detached retina." DOCTOR AND CANCER SURVIVOR GEARS UP TO RUN 7 MARATHONS ON 7 CONTINENTS IN 7 DAYS After scans revealed fluid buildup and rising pressure, doctors determined that Nitsche had lost vision in the eye — and ultimately removed it. A biopsy of the fluid revealed that it was cancerous. Next, Nitsche saw more specialists, who extracted fluid from his lungs for more testing. "The next day, the oncologist told me that I had stage 4 lung cancer," he said. Nitsche said his doctors were "very shocked" to find that his initial eye issues had stemmed from lung cancer – particularly because he had never been a smoker. Azam J. Farooqui, M.D., a hematology and oncology physician at Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in Chandler, Arizona, agreed that Nitsche’s case was "very surprising." LUNG CANCER RISING AMONG NON-SMOKERS — HERE'S WHY "Cancer can find its way to some very odd locations, but the eye is a very, very rare one," Farooqui, who did not treat Nitsche, told Fox News Digital. "Usually cancer will get there