Man who had testicle removed discovers ‘cancer’ was actually varicose vein

Kevin Ratcliffe underwent radiotherapy for six months, had the inside of his left testicle removed, and was warned his treatment may affect his chances of having children after he was told he had a malignant tumour.

The 23-year-old went to hospital for a check-up and doctors revealed he had never had the disease and the tumour was an enlarged varicose vein and a cyst.

Despite previously being told he had beaten cancer by specialists at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, it emerged doctors had recorded the fact Mr Ratcliffe didn’t have cancer on his notes shortly after his misdiagnosis, but no one had bothered to tell him.

The former dairy worker was also forced to give up his dream of becoming a rugby player as he continued treatment, following the wrong diagnosis when he was just 17.

He said: “They realised it wasn’t cancer seven years ago as it’s on my records – but no-one ever bothered to tell me and all they could say was ‘sorry’ when they realised the mistake.

“But I don’t think that is good enough.

“I’m disgusted to be honest and how many other poor people have been told the same?

“It has ruined my life living with this for the past seven years and now my life has been turned upside down.

“I had to go to the radiology ward at Shrewsbury for six months and have treatment which could have caused serious damage to me.”

Mr Ratcliffe said he went into hospital in May 2007 after he found a small black lump on his left testicle.

He claims doctors told him he would need to undergo intensive radiotherapy and have part of his testicle removed.

He added: “I trusted the doctors and did what they said.

“After the operation, which basically removed most of my left testicle, I was told I might not be able to have children.

“I was devastated but believed I was lucky to have beaten cancer.”

Mr Ratcliffe, of Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, said he had been told he had beaten cancer by specialists but to make regular appointments to ensure it did not return.

He discovered the truth recently when he went into hospital for an unrelated urinary condition.

He added: During my consultation with the doctor I said I had cancer when I was 17 but he as he read my notes his face changed.

“He just said to me ‘Oh my God no one ever told you, you never had cancer it was a varicose vein’.

“I was so shocked I started shaking and crying, partly from relief but partly because I was so angry and upset that this had been kept from me.”

Mr Ratcliffe is now considering taking legal action against Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, and said apologies offered by doctors had not been sufficient.

A spokesman for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said: “While we cannot comment specifically on this case, we can confirm we always strive for the highest possible levels of patient care and experience and have a robust process in place to investigate cases where anyone feels we have not met those standards.

“We are currently investigating the claims made by Mr Ratcliffe.”

Source The Telegraph