Advanced Surgical Care Leads to Remarkable Recovery From Stage 4 Rectal Cancer

Scott Zeff considers himself “the luckiest guy alive.” The 67-year-old Davie, Fla., resident is finally getting back to normal life after having spent the last year and a half undergoing treatment at Cleveland Clinic in Florida for stage 4 rectal cancer.

“My whole experience was incredible,” Scott says. “My outcome was a miracle given my diagnosis.”

In June of 2024 Scott, who runs a real estate brokerage firm in Fort Lauderdale, underwent a prostate exam because of some issues he was having. He was given medication for the swollen prostate but advised to also have a colonoscopy as he had never had one.

He had the screening a few months later, and results showed a large tumor.

The diagnosis felt “surreal,” Scott says. Under the care of colorectal surgeon Giovanna da Silva, MD, and oncologist Tiffany George, MD, Scott moved ahead with chemotherapy and radiation treatments to shrink the tumor.

In October of 2025, Scott underwent surgery to remove a complex, large rectal tumor, which communicated with the bladder. The surgery was performed robotically removing the rectal tumor and part of the bladder in one piece.

Dr. Da Silva performed the procedure, along with urologic surgeon Alberto Pieretti, MD. Dr. Pieretti assisted in the surgery to help guide the removal of the tumor, which was so large it was protruding from the colon and touching the bladder and prostate as well.

Scott on the day of his surgery.

Although Dr. Pieretti advised Scott that there was a high chance his bladder and prostate would be adversely affected by the cancer and surgery, he was actually able to save both.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome,” Scott says. Though he has had to use an ileostomy bag temporarily, his treatment is finished, and the cancer has not spread to other areas of his body.

Scott is grateful to Dr. Da Silva and Dr. Pieretti for the quality of care they provided him.

“I can’t say enough about them,” he says. He added that Dr. DaSilva coordinated everything for him, even going above and beyond in making sure everything was taken care of for his treatment.

“There is no one better,” he says about her. “No one could do what she did and be as nice as she is.”

Scott is also very grateful for the care and support he has received from his girlfriend Jennifer, his sister Eva, and his four adult children (triplet sons Zach, Nathan and Stephen, and daughter Rebecca). They have all since moved back to the area to live closer to him.

Scott with his grandchildren.

Scott relied heavily on his support system throughout his treatment. Heading into surgery, he kept his sense of humor, even taping an index card to his chest asking his surgeons to "Please save any parts possible."

Now focused on recovery and returning to everyday life, Scott says he is especially grateful for time with family, especially his grandchildren, Sawyer, Charlotte, and Tali — and the chance to move forward cancer-free.