Overview
- Shatner recounted that a family doctor dismissed a facial lump as a salivary gland and that a second opinion quickly led to its removal and further testing.
- He says the tumor was diagnosed as stage 4 malignant melanoma that had shown tiny spots in his brain and likely in his lung, and he underwent surgery followed by about two years of immunotherapy.
- Melanie Shatner Gretsch was diagnosed with aggressive HER2‑positive breast cancer that had spread to nearby lymph nodes and she received months of chemotherapy, 30 rounds of radiation, a double mastectomy and a year of immunotherapy.
- Both father and daughter report they have closed active treatment and are in remission, and they have spoken publicly to stress vigilance about symptoms and the value of second opinions.
- Shatner, now in his mid‑90s, continues public work and their story may encourage patients to press for further evaluation when symptoms persist or a diagnosis seems uncertain.