Thessaloniki court tries doctor over delayed cancer diagnosis

A military doctor is facing trial at the Thessaloniki Military Court for allegedly delaying a cancer diagnosis for a patient. The case involves a 57-year-old retired police officer who underwent surgery for appendicitis at the 424 Military Hospital in December 2002. Although a biopsy was performed, the patient was not informed of the cancer diagnosis until a year later.

The delay in communication is cited as a critical factor, as the disease progressed, leading to the patient's death in March 2006. The surgeon is facing charges of bodily harm through negligence, but the prosecution is seeking to upgrade the charge to manslaughter through negligence.

Additionally, the former director of the 424 hospital has already been summoned to trial on manslaughter charges for failing to ensure a physician was available to review biopsy results. The court is expected to determine the legal progression of the case.