'Fit and healthy' Essex man who was wrongly diagnosed with rare cancer died after surgery

An elderly Essex man, who was otherwise fit and healthy, tragically died following complications from a complex surgery after being misdiagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Alan Soane, 84, underwent tests at his local hospital in March 2023, including a duodenal biopsy which indicated a 'highly suspicious for malignancy, most likely differentiated adenocarcinoma' (a type of cancer).

Following this, he was referred to the Royal London Hospital's cancer pathway for an 'Immunohistochemical study', a test that identifies disease markers. On May 3, a multidisciplinary team concluded that Alan had 'duodenal cancer', despite not conducting further biopsy tests.

This diagnosis turned out to be incorrect. Based on this conclusion, Alan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in the small intestine and agreed to undergo a 'Whipples' procedure. This complex surgery involves removing parts of the pancreas, bile duct, gall bladder, intestine, and stomach.

READ MORE: 'Outstanding' Essex primary schools as more parents get first choice schools

ALSO READ: The Essex commuter town that has one of the most expensive streets to live on

Unfortunately, due to complications from a surgery he did not need, Alan passed away on June 26, 2023, reports MyLondon. In a report aimed at preventing future deaths, Inner North London coroner Ian Potter stated that 'Mr Soane's surgeon would not have offered him the Whipples surgery had it not been for the incorrect diagnosis provided'. He expressed ongoing concern as the NHS Trust is still 'unable to provide the presence of a Consultant Histopathologist at Hepato-pancreato-biliary MDT meetings'.

Histopathologists are specialists who study organs, tissues, cells and genetics to aid in providing a diagnosis. During the inquest into Alan's death, Mr Potter acknowledged that the absence of such a specialist at the meetings led to the misdiagnosis.

He also highlighted that this issue has been on the Trust's risk register for over five years, but attempts to recruit have been unsuccessful, with 25 per cent of Consultant Histopathologist roles vacant nationally.

"In short, there is a national shortage of Consultant Histopathologists," Mr Potter wrote in his report to NHS England. "The concern here is that a national shortage of Consultant Histopathologists puts a widespread proportion of the patient population at a significant risk."

"I was reassured that the individual NHS Trust had made continued efforts to reduce the risks they identified, by attempting to recruit to the vacant post. However, I was not reassured that action has been taken at a national level to address the shortage generally."

An NHS spokesperson expressed their condolences, stating: "NHS England extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Alan Soane. We are carefully considering the Prevention of Future Deaths Report sent to us by the coroner and will respond in due course."

NHS England has been given a deadline of May 28, 2024, to provide a response to the coroner's report.

Get more news from EssexLive straight to your inbox for FREE