Colin Campbell, a commercial diver, experienced severe abdominal pain in May 2024, which was diagnosed as appendicitis. Instead of undergoing immediate surgery, he was treated with antibiotics and painkillers for six days. This decision, he contends, left him critically ill and ultimately led to a delayed diagnosis of appendix cancer.
Campbell's symptoms were classic for appendicitis, including pain, fever, nausea, and abnormal blood test results. Despite an initial assessment that indicated surgery was necessary, a surgeon later advocated for antibiotic treatment, suggesting it was the future of appendicitis care and that surgery was a "mistake of the past." Campbell, concerned about his condition and his remote island location, insisted on an operation, but the surgeon advised that his appendix would "shrivel up and be cured" with antibiotics, with only a 15% chance of recurrence.
A CT scan on the third day revealed uncomplicated appendicitis, leading the surgeon to deem surgery unnecessary. However, Campbell's condition worsened significantly that afternoon, with severe pain and a high fever despite extensive antibiotic infusions. He reported developing neurological side effects, including numb hands, difficulty speaking, and hallucinations, which he suspected were linked to the antibiotic metronidazole.
Despite his concerns, his medical notes reportedly attributed his symptoms to "health anxiety." Fearing he was not being heard, Campbell's sister intervened, and he sought help at another hospital. Although some neurological symptoms improved, Campbell remained convinced the appendix was problematic.
A private surgeon advised Campbell that appendicitis could be caused by tumors and recommended appendix removal. After a four-month wait for an NHS appointment, Campbell opted to pay approximately £17,000 for a private operation. Post-surgery tests revealed a ruptured tumor in his appendix, indicating appendicitis had been caused by cancer.
Campbell is now undergoing regular monitoring for cancer spread. He expressed anger that patients are allegedly being misled about the risks and benefits of antibiotic treatment for appendicitis, stating his concerns were dismissed and that an earlier operation might have prevented the tumor from rupturing and spreading, as well as avoiding antibiotic-related neurological damage.
While appendix cancer is rare, a 2025 study by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine noted a four-fold increase in cases among those born after 1985 compared to earlier generations, with rising obesity rates and diets high in sugary drinks and processed meats potentially contributing factors. A separate study published in the Royal College of Surgeons journal found that 3.5% of patients diagnosed with "uncomplicated" appendicitis were later found to have tumors after an appendectomy, concluding that antibiotic treatment is associated with a high recurrence rate and the risk of missed tumors.