Year-Old Man Was Told He Had an Ear Infection and Was Given Antiobiotics. A Month Later, He Died from a Brain Tumor

A U.K. man who initially was told he had an ear infection died four weeks later from an incurable brain tumor, according to a report shared by Brain Tumour Research. Tyler Morton, 21, from Bedford, about 50 miles north of London, first noticed an earache in January. After developing numbness on the left side of his face and balance problems, he went to hospital, was diagnosed with an ear infection, and was given antibiotics that did not help. Subsequent scans showed a brain lesion; a CT indicated vertigo and he later suffered two seizures. Within days, further imaging and a biopsy led to a grade 4 glioblastoma. He died March 25, less than two weeks after turning 21. His sister Ella says she is now backing the charity’s awareness efforts, highlighting limited treatment options and poor early detection. The charity says only 4% survive five years.