Doctors saved a cancer-stricken man's life by reconstructing his throat - using skin covered in a Grim Reaper tattoo. The life-threatening tumour was discovered after Colin Reilly complained of neck pain in 2020.
Various treatments seemed to be successful in fighting the cancer – until it came back with a vengeance in March 2021. Colin, from Bristol, was told he would have just six months to live unless he underwent surgery. There was a risk of him losing his voice forever, but the operation was a success - with help from his unusual ink.
His tongue and throat needed to be reconstructed, and skin was taken from his arm which happened to be tattooed with a picture of the Grim Reaper. Colin, 50, now wants to help others going through what he once went through, and raise awareness.
He said: "I know I’ve been lucky - years ago I had a friend who died of throat cancer. So when I was told there was nothing to worry about and the tumour was all gone, it was the best day of my life."
Consultant Mr John Collin, who led on the reconstruction element of the surgery, added: “I’m sorry we spoilt Colin’s tattoo, but it’s always good to get one over on the grim reaper.”
Colin's cancer was discovered following two months of neck pain in 2020. An investigative procedure revealed a lump at the back of his tongue which was confirmed to be a tumour in August that year.
Things were looking positive for a while - until March 2021 when Colin’s throat cancer returned and the tumour appeared more advanced. If left untreated, Colin was told he would have six months to live. But ear, nose and throat specialists believed the tumour could be removed.
In May 2021, Colin's jaw bone was split to remove the tumour from the back of his throat. Microscopic techniques were then used to reconstruct Colin’s tongue and voice box with tissue from his arm - which included the tattoo.
The inked skin from his forearm was moved to the back of his throat in the complex 12-hour operation, but on Colin’s first day in intensive care after surgery, it was found he could still speak. Throat surgeon Mr Oliver Dale said: "Unfortunately Colin is one of the 12,000 people each year who are diagnosed with throat cancer in the UK. Recent technological advances mean that we are able to treat cancers where previously it may not have been possible.
“In Bristol we are lucky to have a fantastic team who work closely with patients like Colin to help them achieve good outcomes following treatment for advanced head and neck cancer.”
Twelve weeks after the operation, Colin underwent scans to assess whether the operation had managed to fully remove the tumour. He said: “I was told that there was nothing to worry about and it was all out. It was the best day of my life.”
As part of his recovery at home, Colin does regular physiotherapy and has started to talk more about the trauma of undergoing life-saving surgery.
Colin's partner Lisa said: "Going through such a terrifying time, not only did the hospital team help Colin so brilliantly, but I don’t know what I would’ve done without their support."
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