An investigation has been launched into the care of a toddler whose stage four cancer was misdiagnosed as constipation by blundering NHS medics.
Ella Formby-Smith, three, had been ‘back and forth’ to hospital since birth, complaining of crippling abdominal pain.
Doctors initially attributed Ella’s pain to a viral infection, lactose intolerance or even constipation, her mother Claire claims.
But the three-year-old was finally diagnosed in March with stage four neuroblastoma – an aggressive cancer that mainly affects babies and young children – after deteriorating so much that she was “curled up in bed crying in pain.”
Warrington Hospital, Cheshire, has now launched an investigation into claims doctors have repeatedly missed crucial warning signs of Ella’s cancer.
Ella, pictured, is now undergoing chemotherapy. In stage four, the cancer has spread to parts of the body that are some distance from where it started — usually to the bones, bone marrow, or liver.
Referred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on March 16, an ultrasound revealed a large mass in the back of Ella’s abdomen. After an MRI a week later, Ella was diagnosed on March 27
It was only after Ella’s condition worsened in March that she was further investigated and diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma – a rare and aggressive cancer.
Mrs Formby, 38, from Runcorn, Cheshire, said: ‘We were told she could have been born with this.
“I feel so let down by the number of times we’ve been back and forth.
“I just can’t believe how it hasn’t been discovered in three years that I went to the hospital with stomach problems.”
Little Ella has already undergone six grueling rounds of chemotherapy.
She now faces surgery, a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and immunotherapy to treat the cancer, Ms Formby claimed.
‘It’s going up and down at the moment. There are good days and bad days,’ her mother said.
“She has no energy and no mobility whatsoever to run around or play, it took it all out of her.”
“She’s amazing and was active and bouncing all the time, just a happy three-year-old going to daycare, so it literally changed her whole lifestyle.”
Ella had been diagnosed with lactose and dairy intolerance on previous hospital visits, Ms Formby claimed.
“Every other time we’ve been we’ve been told it’s constipation or a viral infection,” she added.
But in February, the pain got “gradually worse” until Ella cried with pain’.
A doctor’s appointment advised it was a viral infection, she claimed.
During a second visit later in the month, doctors said they would send Ella for celiac tests.
As the pain intensified, Ms Formby took Ella to Warrington Hospital, where doctors said she would have to wait two weeks for any blood tests, she claimed.
During a subsequent hospital visit after Ella’s condition continued to deteriorate, Ms Formby insisted on further investigation.
Finally, on March 16, Ella was referred to Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where an ultrasound revealed a large mass in the back of her abdomen.
After an MRI scan a week later, Ella was diagnosed with cancer on March 27.
Mrs Formby said, ‘As soon as she got to Alder Hey it was 100 miles an hour. She is now on her seventh round of chemotherapy.’
Neuroblastoma mainly affects babies and young children. It develops from specialized nerve cells – neuroblasts – left behind by a baby’s development in the womb.
Medics at Warrington Hospital told Ella, from Runcorn, Cheshire, she could also simply have a viral infection, her mother Claire Formby claimed
Ella now faces surgery, a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and immunotherapy to treat the cancer, her mother Claire Formby claimed
In stage four, the cancer has spread to parts of the body that are some distance from where it started — usually to the bones, bone marrow, or liver.
Each year, around 100 children in the UK and 800 young people in the US are diagnosed with the rare cancer, which is most common in children under five.
About half of those diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma will live another five years after their diagnosis.
A spokesperson for Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘The Trust is very sorry to hear about Ella’s diagnosis at the regional specialist children’s hospital.
An investigation into Ella’s care during her hospitalizations at the Trust is underway.
“We understand that this is a very difficult time for Ella’s family, and we will do everything we can to support Ella’s family during the investigation and ensure that all findings are shared as soon as possible.”
a GoFundMe Campaign has also launched for Ms Formby and Ella, raising over £22,000 since April for Ella’s care.
