86-Year-Old Beats Ultra-Rare Cancer, Plans Fishing Trip

Just months ago, Richard Casciano Sr. couldn't walk without help and was losing weight rapidly from severe pain. Now the 86-year-old Connecticut man is making plans for golfing, travel, and deep-sea fishing after beating an incredibly rare form of cancer.

Richard arrived at UConn John Dempsey Hospital's Emergency Department in February 2026 with severe chest and back pain. Testing revealed broken bones and lesions that led doctors to an unexpected diagnosis: IgM multiple myeloma, a blood cancer so rare it accounts for only 0.5% of all myeloma cases.

"In my eight years at UConn Health, this was the first case I had personally encountered," says Dr. Swarup Kumar, the hematologist-oncologist who treated Richard. The diagnosis came with difficult choices for a man already managing heart disease, frailty, and early Alzheimer's disease.

Richard's daughter Gemma remembers the family's struggle with the decision. "The first treatment wasn't working, and Dad had been through so much," she recalls. But Richard made his wishes clear: if there was a chance to enjoy life again, he wanted to try.

Dr. Kumar selected teclistamab, an advanced therapy designed to attack the cancer while managing side effects. At diagnosis, Richard's protein levels measured more than 30 times the normal limit. After treatment, those levels dropped to well below normal range.

The real victory came in everyday moments. Richard gained weight, his pain disappeared, and he no longer needed a wheelchair. He's now walking independently around his assisted living community and participating in daily activities.

Sunny's Take

What makes Richard's recovery so moving isn't just the medical triumph. It's watching an 86-year-old man who spent weeks barely able to move now "bopping around with his walker," as Gemma puts it, living on his own terms.

Richard had already survived a major heart attack the year before. His lifelong fighting spirit, combined with his family's commitment to quality over quantity of life, created the foundation for this remarkable comeback. "My dad is a fighter," Gemma says. "He worked hard his entire life and has always pushed through challenges."

For Dr. Kumar, the case represents more than innovative medicine. "The goal is always to choose the treatment that best aligns with the patient's needs and goals," he explains. Richard's protein levels tell one story, but his renewed independence tells another.

The family now focuses on celebrating milestones that once seemed impossible. Richard continues treatment and monitoring while making plans for future adventures. His wish list includes travel, golfing, and family time.

"Our elderly loved ones are just as important as anyone else," Gemma reflects. "Quality of life matters. Seeing my dad get this chance means everything to our family."

Richard's story shows how far cancer treatment has advanced, especially for patients once considered too frail for aggressive therapy. The right treatment for the right patient can restore not just health, but hope and possibility at any age.