Decade-long lump ignored: Woman dies of rare cancer

For ten years, Melissa Fellows' pleas about a growing, painful lump on her stomach were dismissed by medical professionals as a harmless fatty tissue called a lipoma. The lump, initially small, eventually grew to weigh three stone and was the size of a toddler, significantly impacting her daily life and mental health. Despite repeated visits to GPs and scans during pregnancies, the true nature of the growth remained undiagnosed.

In 2019, scans finally revealed the mass to be liposarcoma, a rare cancer that develops in fat cells. Surgeons removed the 30cm by 30cm tumor, one of the largest ever seen. Subsequently, Ms. Fellows underwent chemotherapy, but the cancer had already spread. She was given a terminal diagnosis, with the NHS Trust admitting earlier treatment could have led to a cure. The Trust has since issued an apology and a six-figure payout.

Ms. Fellows is now advocating for 'Melissa's Law,' urging GPs to immediately scan any abnormal lumps. She expresses heartbreak over the lost time with her three children, emphasizing the importance of not allowing medical dismissals of growing lumps. The Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has committed to implementing improved measures to prevent similar failings in patient care.