Israeli Man Diagnosed With Advanced Testicular Cancer After Three-Year Medical Delay

A 30-year-old Israeli man named Hanan suffered a severe delay in the diagnosis of testicular cancer, which was only identified after three years when the tumor had grown significantly and spread throughout his body. The initial suspicion arose in 2022 after Hanan injured his testicle playing soccer and underwent ultrasound and Doppler tests at Sheba Medical Center, which revealed suspicious signs consistent with testicular cancer. Despite recommendations from radiologists for urgent CT scans to check for metastases, Hanan's family doctor at Maccabi Health Services did not follow through, instead referring him only for urological follow-up. The urologist also failed to escalate the case or order further diagnostic tests, leading to a prolonged period without proper cancer evaluation or treatment.

In September 2025, after persistent symptoms including abdominal and testicular pain, Hanan returned to Sheba Medical Center where an ultrasound showed a tumor encompassing the entire testicle, and CT scans revealed enlarged lymph nodes up to 6.3 centimeters. He subsequently underwent orchiectomy, and pathology confirmed a seminoma tumor approximately the size of a tennis ball. Legal representatives Rafael Almog and Rotem Tzioni filed a medical negligence lawsuit against Maccabi, alleging gross mishandling and failure to meet medical standards, which directly caused the late diagnosis and severe health consequences.

Expert opinions included a urological surgeon who stated that early detection in 2022 could have prevented tumor spread and the need for chemotherapy, and an oncology professor who warned that chemotherapy might reduce Hanan’s life expectancy by about 15% and increase the risk of secondary cancers. The lawsuit seeks compensation up to 2.5 million shekels. Maccabi Health Services acknowledged receipt of the claim and said it will review and respond through medical expert opinions in court. No defense has yet been filed.