Makeup Artist Dies After Doctors Mistake Her Tumor As Fetus
14 March 2016, 4:51 am EDT By Katherine Derla Tech Times
A makeup artist for Lancôme died after her doctors mistook her five-inch tumor as a proof of pregnancy. By the time she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called adenocarcinoma, it was already terminal. ( Demi's Donuts | JustGiving )
A 22-year-old British woman died after her doctor mistook a nearly five-inch tumor as a proof of pregnancy. Demi Wright, a makeup artist for Lancôme, was later diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of cancer called adenocarcinoma.
Last November, Wright was admitted to a hospital after complaints of discomfort in her side along with back pain. Her blood tests showed high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone normally released during pregnancy, and was taken to the maternity ward.
Later, doctors found the hormones emitted were from an almost five-inch tumor in her liver. By this time, Wright's health deteriorated very quickly in the days following the transfer out of the maternity ward. She died on February 23.
The 22-year-old from Colchester, Essex worked as a makeup artist for Lancôme. In 2000, she found out she had a tumor but then, it was benign. She had regular checkups until she reached 16 years old.
Her father, Chris Wright, was with her daughter when she had an ultrasound. At that time, her parents already knew their daughter wasn't pregnant.
"A father should be there for the scan to show a baby but this was so wrong," said Chris.
Further ultrasound scans revealed did not reveal a fetus. Her doctors thought Wright might have had an ectopic pregnancy, a condition when the fetus develops in the fallopian tube rather than in the womb.
At Colchester Hospital, Wright underwent a keyhole surgery. This was when her doctors found the mass. When she was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the cancer was already in its late-stage.
The cancer had spread from her liver to her pancreas and other parts of her body. Chris shared they thought they might still have their daughter for a few more months but Wright's state deteriorated quickly.
According to Dr. Helen Webberley from the Oxford Online Pharmacy, what Wright had was a molar pregnancy which mimics the behavior of a conventional pregnancy. The test comes out positive because of the HDG hormone release. There is also growth in the womb.
"It is only when the patient comes for their 12-week scan that a molar pregnancy is detected," said Webberley. "The cells need to be removed and most women can expect a full recovery. However, close follow-up is needed because there is a small chance of developing a type of cancer, as appears to be the case with this patient."
While Wright's parents do not blame the doctors for the mistake, they are raising awareness on terminal adenocarcinoma to help people better recognize the symptoms earlier. They set up a fundraising page to honor Wright's memory. The proceeds will be given to the Cancer Research UK.
A 22-year-old British woman died after her doctor mistook a nearly five-inch tumor as a proof of pregnancy. Demi Wright, a makeup artist for Lancôme, was later diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of cancer called adenocarcinoma.
Last November, Wright was admitted to a hospital after complaints of discomfort in her side along with back pain. Her blood tests showed high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone normally released during pregnancy, and was taken to the maternity ward.
Later, doctors found the hormones emitted were from an almost five-inch tumor in her liver. By this time, Wright's health deteriorated very quickly in the days following the transfer out of the maternity ward. She died on February 23.
The 22-year-old from Colchester, Essex worked as a makeup artist for Lancôme. In 2000, she found out she had a tumor but then, it was benign. She had regular checkups until she reached 16 years old.
Her father, Chris Wright, was with her daughter when she had an ultrasound. At that time, her parents already knew their daughter wasn't pregnant.
"A father should be there for the scan to show a baby but this was so wrong," said Chris.
Further ultrasound scans revealed did not reveal a fetus. Her doctors thought Wright might have had an ectopic pregnancy, a condition when the fetus develops in the fallopian tube rather than in the womb.
At Colchester Hospital, Wright underwent a keyhole surgery. This was when her doctors found the mass. When she was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the cancer was already in its late-stage.
The cancer had spread from her liver to her pancreas and other parts of her body. Chris shared they thought they might still have their daughter for a few more months but Wright's state deteriorated quickly.
According to Dr. Helen Webberley from the Oxford Online Pharmacy, what Wright had was a molar pregnancy which mimics the behavior of a conventional pregnancy. The test comes out positive because of the HDG hormone release. There is also growth in the womb.
"It is only when the patient comes for their 12-week scan that a molar pregnancy is detected," said Webberley. "The cells need to be removed and most women can expect a full recovery. However, close follow-up is needed because there is a small chance of developing a type of cancer, as appears to be the case with this patient."
While Wright's parents do not blame the doctors for the mistake, they are raising awareness on terminal adenocarcinoma to help people better recognize the symptoms earlier. They set up a fundraising page to honor Wright's memory. The proceeds will be given to the Cancer Research UK.
