I was diagnosed with a rare cancer after noticing a red spot in my eye - now I need a miracle treatment

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Opticians told him he likely had a detached retina.

A Lancashire man was diagnosed with a rare cancer after noticing a red spot in his right eye.

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Tony Brown, 63, noticed a red spot in his eye but thought it was just a popped blood vessel after googling it.

His daughter Suzie Brown, 39, and the rest of his family were concerned and Tony went to the opticians in February.

They told him he likely had a detached retina and transferred him to Lancaster Hospital on February 20.

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Tony Brown, 63, was diagnoses with cancer after noticing a red spot in his eye (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS)Tony Brown, 63, was diagnoses with cancer after noticing a red spot in his eye (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS)
Tony Brown, 63, was diagnoses with cancer after noticing a red spot in his eye (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS) | Suzie Brown / SWNS

He had a scan and ultrasound before being transferred to Lancashire Eye Hospital, Chorley and then the Royal Liverpool University.

There he was diagnosed with ocular melanoma - an extremely rare form of cancer.

Tony had an operation to remove the eye and tumour the next day.

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But last week an MRI showed the cancer had spread to his liver and now Tony is trying to raise £120k for chemo saturation - a non-surgical treatment for cancer of the liver.

Tony, a council worker, from Morecambe, said: "I was devastated when I got the diagnosis.

Tony Brown with his daughter Suzie (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS)Tony Brown with his daughter Suzie (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS)
Tony Brown with his daughter Suzie (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS) | Suzie Brown / SWNS

"You always hear about people getting cancer but you never think it will happen to you.

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"I am hopeful that with this treatment I will be able to live a long life."

When he left the hospital, Tony was told he would need a routine MRI to monitor whether the cancer had returned.

In April 2024 an MRI showed small tumours were in his liver.

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Daughter Suzie, who works in insurance, from Morecambe, said: "Our family were broken by this news.

"We were given the absolutely earth shattering news that without treatment he has months to live.

"Dad is broken and he still is. He has found it difficult to comprehend.

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"He is not ready for this to be the end and he wants to fight this."

Doctors told Tony there was nothing they could do for him but recommended chemo saturation - a non-surgical treatment for cancer of the liver.

The treatment is not available on the NHS but is available privately at a cost of £40,000 per round.

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Tony Brown with partner Iwona (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS)Tony Brown with partner Iwona (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS)
Tony Brown with partner Iwona (Credit: Suzie Brown / SWNS) | Suzie Brown / SWNS

Tony's family are trying to raise £120k for this life changing treatment so he can have a few rounds of treatment.

Suzie said: "Some people have lived past five years on it. Some have had their cancer eradicated.

"It truly is a miracle treatment for this rare cancer. Unfortunately, the NHS does not fund it, and it is only available privately.

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"As this cancer is so rare there hasn't been as much research or funding so there are very limited options for patients who have it.

"As a normal working family on average salaries, we now have to raise a lot of money in a very short time for this treatment to give him some more precious time with us."

Tony added: "I am amazed at the generosity I've had so far from family, friends and even people I don't know.

"I hope that this treatment will give me more time with my family."

If you wish to donate to the JustGiving page, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/suzie-brown-2#.

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