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At 14 years old, Kirsten Kosbab came home from school one day with a lump bulging from her neck. Then came the unexpected diagnosis: Kirsten had Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Working closely with M Physicians oncologists and Fairview pediatric care teams, Kirsten received an immunotherapy‑based treatment that allowed her to avoid radiation—reducing long‑term health risks while still effectively treating her cancer. Her care reflects how evolving science is directly influencing clinical decisions and patient outcomes.
Through collaboration between academic specialists and frontline care teams, children like Kirsten can benefit from newer treatment approaches that weren’t available just a few years ago. By connecting research, clinical expertise, and coordinated care delivery, M Physicians and Fairview are helping translate medical innovation into meaningful options for patients and families—supporting healthier futures long after treatment ends.
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Kirsten Kosbab, 14, came home from school one day with a lump bulging from her neck.
“It didn’t look right, so we went to urgent care, and they sent us immediately to an emergency room for some imaging,” said Kirsten’s dad Jonathan. “Then the emergency room sent us to the pediatric intensive care unit.”
Then came the unexpected diagnosis: Kirsten had Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
“She had a high-risk type of cancer that can develop really quickly,” said Lucie Turcotte, MD, a hematologist/oncologist with M Health Fairview Pediatrics and the University of Minnesota Medical School. “It just takes one bad cell to start dividing fast. It might seem like it came out of nowhere. Most pediatric patients who come to us with lymphomas are taken by surprise when they hear the diagnosis.”
Life changed abruptly for Kirsten and her family with her February 2025 diagnosis at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. She spent the second half of eighth grade taking online classes through her middle school while receiving treatment.
Amazing response to a new treatment
Kirsten, who lives in Blaine, got a newer form of treatment that combines standard chemotherapy with immunotherapy called nivolumab, which helps the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. Nivolumab has allowed patients like Kirsten avoid getting radiation treatment, which helps reduce long-term risks. Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for secondary cancers, heart or lung damage later in life.
“Kirsten had a really great response,” Turcotte said. “You could almost watch the mass in her neck just melt away after the first several treatments.”
But that’s not to say treatment was easy. Kirsten had treatment every two weeks.
“It’s aggressive and hard,” Turcotte said,” but Kirsten did amazingly well. She and her folks had a great attitude.”
“It wasn’t so bad at first, but I feel like it did get progressively harder,” Kirsten said.
Taking time to care for others
The year wasn’t all about cancer for Kirsten. She stayed connected to school and activities. She plays the flute in her school band, is learning ukelele, and enjoys art. She also took time to give back to her community.
Kirsten and a friend were at church when they noticed a need for healthy foods in the community. They both like to garden, so they decided to address hunger. They grew tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, string beans, and basil. The church has a little free pantry where people can get food items. Kirsten’s garden also provided ingredients for monthly meals at an emergency homeless shelter.
Her community service helped her earn a Silver Award, one of the highest awards in Girl Scouts.
After treatment, Kirsten traveled with her family and attended camps. She returned to M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital for follow-up scans that showed her body is clear of cancer. Now Kirsten is starting her freshman year of high school. Turcotte is optimistic about Kirsten’s future.
“When people hear the diagnosis of high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma or kids diagnosed with higher stage cancers, I think they automatically assume that the prognosis won’t be great,” Turcotte said. “But with this therapy, she should do really well over time.”