A Hong Kong man recently got the happy news that his lung cancer diagnosis was actually incorrect. Bully for him – apart from he’d already had a quarter of his lung removed.
Ko Wing-man, secretary for food and health, yesterday revealed the blunder to the press.
The 64-year-old man was diagnosed with lung cancer at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital earlier this year, according to RTHK.
He was referred to Queen Mary Hospital on Aug. 11 and underwent an operation to remove part of the lower lobe of his right lung.
However, it was later discovered that the removed tissue contained no cancer cells. It is thought the man’s sample was accidentally contaminated with tissue from another patient, probably by a lab assistant with spades instead of hands.
The Hospital Authority is setting up an investigative team which is expected to report its findings in eight weeks’ time.
We’re sure the 64-year-old is breathing a (slightly shallow) sigh of relief.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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