A 42-year-old hairdresser's suspected endometriosis was revealed to be a rare form of cancer requiring the removal of nine organs in what surgeons described as 'the mother of all surgeries.' Claire Gerring of Wantage, Oxfordshire, was initially referred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in November 2022 with symptoms consistent with endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it. After being placed on a waiting list for an investigative laparoscopy in May 2023, Gerring experienced intense pain and a positive fecal immunochemical test, which detects blood in stool, prompting a colonoscopy.
During the colonoscopy, doctors found her appendix was inverted. A subsequent CT scan indicated malignant tissue on the organ, necessitating investigative surgery. A biopsy in May 2025 confirmed a diagnosis of stage four Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), a rare cancer that typically originates from a tumor in the appendix.
Gerring was then referred to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, one of two facilities in the United Kingdom specializing in PMP. Due to the appendix tumor rupturing, other nodules had spread throughout her body. In July 2025, she underwent a ten-hour operation where surgeons removed her appendix, gallbladder, spleen, uterus, cervix, both ovaries and fallopian tubes. The procedure also included the removal of her greater omentum, belly button, peritoneum lining, and a portion of her bowel. Her liver was partially removed, her diaphragm scraped, and her bladder stripped.
Following four and a half weeks in the hospital, Gerring was discharged. She experiences ongoing bowel problems but currently shows no evidence of disease and will be monitored for the next two decades. She described feeling scared and alone after her diagnosis, particularly due to the rarity of PMP. "When you’ve got a rare cancer and it’s not something you’ve heard of before, there’s not a lot of people to talk to about it," Gerring stated.
Gerring's recovery is a slow process, and she acknowledges that she may not return to her former self but is adapting to her new reality. She has since focused her efforts on fundraising for the charity Pseudomyxoma Survivor, which provided her with support during her diagnosis. Last month, she organized a masked ball that raised over £16,000. The funds will contribute to research, including a project aiming to develop a blood test for early cancer detection.
Maddy Lomas, a trustee at Pseudomyxoma Survivor, expressed gratitude for Gerring's fundraising efforts, highlighting the significant impact the funds will have for a small charity. Lomas emphasized that increased awareness of PMP can help individuals recognize signs, seek support, and feel less isolated after a diagnosis.