Rachel Yaffe, a TikTok star from Maryland, has passed away after a long struggle with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer affecting primarily young, otherwise healthy individuals.
Yaffe was 27 years old when she died on October 11, 2024, following seven years of battling the disease. She had been documenting her cancer journey online, sharing her experiences and advice with followers.
Yaffe first noticed something unusual in her late teens but initially suspected it was a gluten intolerance. Her concerns led her to a doctor who recognized her distress and referred her to a specialist, where a 20-centimeter tumor was discovered on her liver. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of fibrolamellar carcinoma, which impacts approximately 200 people worldwide annually.
In her videos, Yaffe chronicled her changing treatment regimens and diet choices as she explored ways to fight her illness. “I was plant-based vegan for quite a long amount of time,” Yaffe shared in a TikTok post from July. “After going through what I’ve been through and reevaluating my blood work with my new practitioners, we found out that I was pretty deficient in some of the nutrients that I really needed from proteins and fats, so I’m actually leaning more into the keto carnivore diet.”
Yaffe’s cancer journey saw her relocate to Los Angeles and later to New York City, where her sister resides. However, her health worsened earlier this year when a tumor-related complication caused her lung to hemorrhage, forcing her to undergo emergency procedures.
In her final video, Yaffe shared that the radiation treatments had significantly drained her strength, leaving her to rebuild from the beginning. Despite the challenges, she remained positive, acknowledging the difficulty of pushing herself to get up and stay active.
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is especially challenging due to its asymptomatic nature in its early stages. Treatment options are limited, as surgical resection remains the most effective approach for localized cases.
Yaffe’s death was confirmed through an online obituary that expressed the family’s deep sorrow and shared details of her memorial. She is survived by her parents, Linda and Wayne Yaffe, her brother Jordan, her sister Jessica, and her beloved dog, Layla.
Her family has asked that any contributions be made to Experience Camps, a nonprofit organization for grieving children based in Westport, Connecticut.