A Cheltenham mother has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer after initially seeking treatment for conjunctivitis, and now, just over a year later, she has exhausted all available NHS treatment options.
Charlotte Surgenor, aged 30, underwent two extensive courses of chemotherapy at Cheltenham General Hospital over 36 weeks. However, due to limited NHS research into her specific type of cancer, she has been informed there are currently no further treatment options available through the NHS.
Charlotte and her husband, Tom, 32, are now fundraising to explore private medical treatments. These options include costly medications or participating in clinical trials overseas, which could require an expenditure of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
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Despite the uncertain future, the couple remain determined to maintain a normal life for their two-year-old daughter, Maisie.
Tom reflected on the circumstances leading to the diagnosis, questioning whether the cancer would have been detected without the initial episode of conjunctivitis, which prompted further medical investigations.
Charlotte’s health issues began in late May 2025 after she contracted conjunctivitis from Maisie. Following the infection, she noticed that one of her eyelids was persistently drooping and would not fully open.
Tom said: “We visited several pharmacies and eye clinics that recommended eye drops, but the problem persisted. Eventually, we consulted an eye specialist in Cheltenham who suspected Charlotte might have Horner syndrome.”
Horner syndrome is a neurological condition that affects one side of the face, indicating underlying nerve damage and involving the sympathetic nerves that control eyelid movement.
Following this, Charlotte was referred for a scan at Gloucester Royal Hospital in June 2025 and was admitted overnight for a biopsy. A week later, the couple learned Charlotte had a growth in her throat and nasal area identified as cancer, which had already spread to her lung and liver.
Tom said: “It felt unreal. Cancer didn’t even cross our minds, especially given Charlotte’s age and good health.”
Charlotte was diagnosed with metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare type of salivary gland cancer representing just one per cent of head and neck malignancies. There is currently no cure for this disease.
She began her first chemotherapy cycle in August 2025, lasting 18 weeks, followed by a second round starting in April 2026. This weekend, she is scheduled for an end-of-treatment scan.
Tom explained: “Our NHS oncologist told us there are no further NHS options due to the lack of research for this cancer type. The tumour remains roughly the same size despite chemotherapy, but the disease has progressed in her lung and liver. We’re now seeking private oncologists for second opinions and alternative treatments.”
One potential treatment is the drug Enhertu, targeting specific characteristics of Charlotte’s cancer, but the cost for a short course runs into thousands of pounds. Alternatively, participating in a clinical trial in the United States could cost hundreds of thousands.
The couple established a GoFundMe page, which has raised over £16,000 to support their next steps.
Tom added: “We’re overwhelmed by the generosity we’ve seen. We hadn’t expected to raise this much, and it’s encouraging as we prepare for whatever comes next.”
Charlotte, now off chemotherapy, is reportedly “fairly asymptomatic” and has returned to work as a talent sourcer at telecommunications firm VoCoVo.
Tom said: “Physically, Charlotte is doing well day to day. There are no obvious signs of her illness, so we’re focusing on living life as normally as possible for Maisie’s sake, and hope others continue to treat us normally.”
A fundraising event is scheduled for Saturday, 5 September, at 7.30pm, at Cheltenham Ladies' College. The event will feature a 10-piece classical soul band with Cheltenham-born soul singer RaRa. Tickets start at £16.25 and are available on the college’s website.