Dad-Of-Two and Grandfather Wrongly Diagnosed With Skin Cancer Asks Legal Experts To Investigate

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have expressed concern after an investigation found a number of Hereford County Hospital patients may have been misdiagnosed with cancer.

Wye Valley NHS Trust launched an internal review after two incidents occurred where cancerous samples were reported by a locum histopathologist as showing “no evidence of malignancy.”

A total of 63 discrepancies identified from a review of 232 samples

The histopathologist had been responsible for analysing 2,903 cases at Hereford County Hospital between June 2021 and December 2022, the review said. It added that 232 samples were sent for review, with 63 discrepancies identified.

The hospital’s review identified that on comparison of the original histology reports against the supplementary review reports, the locum histopathologist had a tendency to over report melanoma/skin cancer. The review also identified 26 patients who will require an update to their diagnosis and/or who have undergone repeat surgeries as a result of the original histology that would not have been required based on the supplementary report.

Among those affected is a Herefordshire man who was diagnosed with skin cancer after undergoing a mole biopsy at Hereford County Hospital in June 2022. He had surgery to remove the mole and surrounding tissue then additional surgery to remove lymph nodes under general anastatic to help prevent the disease spreading.

Wye Valley NHS Trust says it's "extremely sorry" as mole found to be benign

However, in September 2024 the man received a letter from the Hospital Trust informing him that the mole he had removed was benign.

He has now instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care.

The Trust said in the letter it was “extremely sorry” for the “alternative diagnosis” and confirmed that the man would not have required the further procedures he underwent as a result.

Natalie Truman is the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the 63-year-old man who does not wish to be named.

Expert Opinion

“This report and the potential scale of the issues is deeply concerning, and we welcome the Hospital Trust’s investigation.

“Among those impacted is our client, who has faced an incredibly difficult time after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing operations, only then to be told that his sample was benign, and the operations were not necessary.

“Understandably, he feels conflicted as on one hand he is relieved that he doesn’t have cancer, but on the other hand he is distressed to have gone through unnecessary procedures.

“To know that this is not an isolated case and there could be many other patients in the same situation is genuinely concerning.

“While nothing can change what has happened, we are determined to provide our client with the answers he deserves.

“Meanwhile, it’s vital that lessons are learned from the issues the Trust has identified and that patients are provided with the specialist support they may require.” Natalie Truman

Cancer misdiagnosis: A Herefordshire man's story

Following the review, the Trust has taken measures to ensure a second opinion is sought when there are concerns about a sample, as well as the need for a robust induction plan to ensure histopathologists follow all required processes, and regular checks for potential discrepancies.

The man, a father-of-two and grandfather, said: “The mole was one that my wife had suggested that I get checked, but I did not really expect anything to come of it. So, it came as a bit of a shock when I was told it was cancerous.

“But I did what I was advised and needed to do – had the appropriate treatment and subsequent surgery – only to then find out that there had been an error in diagnosis, and I did not have cancer after all.

“At first, I felt relief that I didn’t have skin cancer, but then it hit me what had happened, how my family and I had spent so long worrying and fretting, changing my lifestyle over a condition that I didn’t have, not to mention the surgeries I had with the belief I was removing the risk of skin and other cancers that can develop. The initial diagnosis caused so much concern for my family that I went on to have further moles removed, and my son opted to have a number of his own removed and tested too.

“If I could go back, I would get a second opinion from an independent consultant, however at the time I had complete trust in the professionalism of the NHS and accepted the result, assuming that the diagnosis involved confirmatory cross checks – I had no reason not to.

"I am extremely disappointed in what happened and now feel uneasy about trusting in any potential future diagnosis. To know that there are also others going through what I am, or worse makes me feel quite uneasy.

“All I want now are some answers and importantly reassurance that measures are now in place to prevent this happening again in the future.”

Support available

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients and families affected by cancer care issues at our dedicated cancer claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.