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Dentist 'prescribed mouthwash for woman with tongue cancer' Dentist 'prescribed mouthwash for woman with tongue cancer'
(35 minutes later)
A dentist facing 46 counts of malpractice prescribed mouthwash for a patient with a cancerous tongue, a hearing in London has been told.A dentist facing 46 counts of malpractice prescribed mouthwash for a patient with a cancerous tongue, a hearing in London has been told.
Professor Philip Lamey of Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital failed to spot a cancerous lesion on a 78-year-old woman's tongue, it was claimed. Prof Philip Lamey of Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital failed to spot a cancerous lesion on a 78-year-old woman's tongue, it was claimed.
She was seen at four separate appointments in 2008-9, the General Dental Council heard.She was seen at four separate appointments in 2008-9, the General Dental Council heard.
The professor faces charges over 33 patients. Four later died of cancer.The professor faces charges over 33 patients. Four later died of cancer.
Giving evidence to the hearing in London, the daughter of the 78-year-old woman said that instead of correctly identifying the lesion, Prof Lamey prescribed iron supplements and a mouthwash for what he believed was a mouth ulcer.Giving evidence to the hearing in London, the daughter of the 78-year-old woman said that instead of correctly identifying the lesion, Prof Lamey prescribed iron supplements and a mouthwash for what he believed was a mouth ulcer.
It was not until her mother was given surgery to removed the "ulcer" at the fourth appointment in October 2009 that the cancer was uncovered, the woman, known as Mrs F, claimed.It was not until her mother was given surgery to removed the "ulcer" at the fourth appointment in October 2009 that the cancer was uncovered, the woman, known as Mrs F, claimed.
"When we went along we were worried that it might be cancer but mum was in good health in those days. She didn't need me to go but I went for moral support," Mrs F said."When we went along we were worried that it might be cancer but mum was in good health in those days. She didn't need me to go but I went for moral support," Mrs F said.
"I can remember asking him at the first appointment the question 'Are you sure you are happy you don't want to do a biopsy to check this is not something worse?' and he said 'No, this is something painful and because it is painful, it is nothing sinister." "I can remember asking him at the first appointment the question 'Are you sure you are happy you don't want to do a biopsy to check this is not something worse?' and he said 'No, this is something painful and because it is painful, it is nothing sinister'."
She added: "I took this to mean not cancer."She added: "I took this to mean not cancer."
In his medical notes, Prof Lamey wrote that the patient, known as Patient 3, had refused a biopsy at her second appointment in April 2009.In his medical notes, Prof Lamey wrote that the patient, known as Patient 3, had refused a biopsy at her second appointment in April 2009.
"My mum is not stupid, if she heard the word biopsy she would have flagged it up," Mrs F said."My mum is not stupid, if she heard the word biopsy she would have flagged it up," Mrs F said.
"I am not stupid. I have a degree in biology. I would have wanted more information if the word biopsy was mentioned, but it never was.""I am not stupid. I have a degree in biology. I would have wanted more information if the word biopsy was mentioned, but it never was."
Mrs F did not attend her mum's fourth appointment as she was nine months pregnant and, instead, her mother went with a cousin.Mrs F did not attend her mum's fourth appointment as she was nine months pregnant and, instead, her mother went with a cousin.
Her mother's health had deteriorated so much by this stage that she needed to be pushed around in a wheelchair, Mrs F said.Her mother's health had deteriorated so much by this stage that she needed to be pushed around in a wheelchair, Mrs F said.
"We thought it was just a condition check after the surgery from removing the ulcer," she said."We thought it was just a condition check after the surgery from removing the ulcer," she said.
"If I thought it was the results of a biopsy, I would have been there. My brother would have been there. She certainly would have been with her sister or a close relative."If I thought it was the results of a biopsy, I would have been there. My brother would have been there. She certainly would have been with her sister or a close relative.
"It was a total shock when we heard it was cancer. We didn't even know a biopsy was being taken.""It was a total shock when we heard it was cancer. We didn't even know a biopsy was being taken."
Her mother had the cancer removed and has since made a full recovery.Her mother had the cancer removed and has since made a full recovery.
Earlier in the hearing, the court heard how the dentist failed to spot a tumour in a patient's jawbone, instead prescribing sugar-free chewing gum.Earlier in the hearing, the court heard how the dentist failed to spot a tumour in a patient's jawbone, instead prescribing sugar-free chewing gum.
David Bradly, counsel for the GDC said: "Professor Lamey gave a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and prescribed sugar-free chewing gum for treatment and said he would see her in three months. David Bradly, counsel for the GDC said: "Prof Lamey gave a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and prescribed sugar-free chewing gum for treatment and said he would see her in three months.
"She actually had a tumour in the mandible and was admitted to hospital. She had a SCC and had radiotherapy following an operation.""She actually had a tumour in the mandible and was admitted to hospital. She had a SCC and had radiotherapy following an operation."
In total 15 patients treated by Prof Lamey, who were later found to have cancer, may have had a delay in diagnosis, the hearing was told.In total 15 patients treated by Prof Lamey, who were later found to have cancer, may have had a delay in diagnosis, the hearing was told.
A total of 135 of his patients were recalled to the hospital over misdiagnosis fears.A total of 135 of his patients were recalled to the hospital over misdiagnosis fears.
The hearing is expected to take 19 days and will focus on seven mouth cancer patients who were allegedly wrongly treated by Professor Lamey. The hearing is expected to take 19 days and will focus on seven mouth cancer patients who were allegedly wrongly treated by Prof Lamey.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.