Chantel Brink

Chantel Brink

January 15, 2025

Man Devastated After Discovering He Was Never Diagnosed with Cancer Despite 9 Years of Chemotherapy

In 2011, Anthony Olson, a then-33-year-old man from Helena, Montana, received devastating news from Dr. Thomas C. Weiner, a former oncologist at St. Peter’s Health. Olson was told he had Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow fail to mature into healthy blood cells. Weiner warned Olson that he would be “dead before the end of the year” if he did not begin chemotherapy treatment immediately.

Questionable Test Results

Dr. Thomas C. Weiner reportedly misdiagnosed Anthony Olson
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Dr. Weiner’s diagnosis was based on two bone marrow biopsies conducted months apart. The first biopsy indicated signs of MDS, but a second biopsy performed ten months later showed no evidence of the disease. Despite this contradictory result, Weiner dismissed the second biopsy as an indication that the treatment was working. He insisted that Olson continue chemotherapy.

Nine Grueling Years of Chemotherapy

Following Weiner’s advice, Olson underwent chemotherapy for nine years.
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Following Weiner’s advice, Olson underwent chemotherapy for nine years. “That diagnosis changed the direction of my life,” Olson, now 47said. The grueling treatment took a severe toll on Olson’s physical and emotional health, as he battled the side effects of chemotherapy for nearly a decade under the belief that it was saving his life.

A Kidney Specialist’s Discovery

LaClair found that Olson was suffering from “iron overload,” a condition caused by excessive iron levels in the body.
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In 2016, Dr. Robert LaClair, a kidney specialist managing Olson’s dialysis, uncovered troubling issues in Olson’s treatment. LaClair found that Olson was suffering from “iron overload,” a condition caused by excessive iron levels in the body. He also discovered that chemotherapy was worsening Olson’s pre-existing anemia, a condition Olson had before his MDS diagnosis. These findings raised serious questions about the accuracy of Olson’s initial diagnosis.

Evidence of Misdiagnosis Emerges

As LaClair delved deeper, it became evident that Olson had likely been misdiagnosed.
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As LaClair delved deeper, it became evident that Olson had likely been misdiagnosed. By 2019, LaClair strongly suspected that Olson never had MDS and urged him to seek a second opinion. A retesting of Olson’s original biopsy sample revealed that he had never been afflicted with MDS in the first place. This shocking discovery marked a turning point in Olson’s journey.

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Determined to address the harm caused to Olson and other patients, LaClair took his concerns to St. Peter’s Health’s peer review committee
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Determined to address the harm caused to Olson and other patients, LaClair took his concerns to St. Peter’s Health’s peer review committee. After becoming head of the committee, LaClair successfully had Weiner fired. In a statement, the hospital later accused Weiner of causing harm by administering treatments, including chemotherapy, that were not medically necessary.

Olson stopped his cancer treatment in 2021 and filed a lawsuit against St. Peter’s Health in 2022. The hospital settled the case for an undisclosed amount. Meanwhile, Weiner denied all allegations and sued the hospital for wrongful termination and defamation. However, a Montana judge dismissed Weiner’s lawsuit, prompting him to file an appeal, which was still pending with the state Supreme Court as of December 2024.

St. Peter’s Health Responds

In response to the controversy, St. Peter’s Health issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to patient care.
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In response to the controversy, St. Peter’s Health issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to patient care. “Our patients trust us with their health and well-being, and it’s a privilege and responsibility we take very seriously,” the statement read. “St. Peter’s is focused on moving forward, and we remain fully committed to providing the great care and experience our community deserves.”

The Human Cost of a Misdiagnosis

For Olson, the discovery that he had undergone unnecessary chemotherapy for nearly a decade has been devastating.
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For Olson, the discovery that he had undergone unnecessary chemotherapy for nearly a decade has been devastating. The physical toll of years of treatment and the emotional trauma of believing he was fighting a life-threatening disease have profoundly affected his life. “That diagnosis stole years of my life and changed everything,” Olson said.

A Broader Lesson in Medical Oversight

Olson’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough and accurate medical diagnosis.
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Olson’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough and accurate medical diagnosis. It highlights the need for vigilance in the healthcare system to prevent such life-altering errors. While Olson’s ordeal is a tragic example of medical malpractice, it also underscores the critical role of advocates like Dr. LaClair in uncovering and addressing these mistakes.

Looking Ahead

As Olson moves forward with his life, his story stands as a testament to resilience and the pursuit of justice.
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As Olson moves forward with his life, his story stands as a testament to resilience and the pursuit of justice. It also raises awareness of the need for systemic changes to ensure that no patient endures such unnecessary suffering in the future.

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