Call for greater awareness of rare form of cancer

THE widow of John Montgomery has called for greater awareness of the form of cancer which led to his death, after chances to diagnose it sooner were missed.

Mr Montgomery was first seen at Peterborough District Hospital in June 2008, but his condition was not diagnosed until February 2009.

Andrew Pfleiderer, a consultant in Peterborough City Hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat department, told the inquest that the cancer “could and should” have been detected sooner, although he felt “the delay made no difference to his prognoses or eventual outcome”.

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Montgomery was critical a potential link between her husband’s line of work and his symptoms had not been made sooner.

She said: “The medical profession need to be more aware so they ask the right questions.”

John Randall, medical director at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust accepted the diagnosis should have been made shortly after he first came to the hospital, rather than some six months later.

He added: “However, review of initial findings suggest that the cancer had already spread extensively and a cure was not possible.

“The coroner stated at the inquest that it is uncertain whether an earlier diagnosis would have altered the sad outcome.”

He said the trust would like to express its condolences to Mr Montgomery’s family and friends.