A case of misdiagnosed squamous cell carcinoma due to alternative medical misadventure--time for tightening regulation?
We present a patient with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma that had grown significantly during 16 months of intensive alternative therapy. The alternative medicine practitioner allegedly repeatedly reassured the patient that her condition was benign and advised against seeking conventional medical treatment. Due to the delayed presentation, the patient required extensive surgery and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. This case highlights the risks of alternative therapy in the place of proven conventional medical treatment and emphasises the limitations of current regulation of complementary and alternative medicine in New Zealand.
Mistry
Raakhi
R
Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial & Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital, Wellington.
Wademan
Brecon
B
Avery
Gary
G
Tan
Swee T
ST
D000368:Aged; D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000175:diagnosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009520:New Zealand; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology
D006454:Hemoglobins