A cancer patient in Cornwall has received the best Christmas present after being told he is now in remission following pioneering treatment.

Vaughan Herriott, 57, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2016 but he is now free of any tumours after joining a research study at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.

The married father-of-two initially found a lump on his neck in September 2016 .

Following a biopsy, he was informed that he had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, this news coming after a very difficult six months in which he had been rocked by a spate of three family tragedies. Vaughan was told that the cancer was non-aggressive.

However, despite this diagnosis, four times, after receiving different types of treatment, Vaughan learnt that the cancer had returned.

Early in 2022, Vaughan received the devastating news that the cancer has spread to his kidneys and spine.

He had urgent radiotherapy treatment to prevent paralysis. At this stage, Vaughan had run out of treatment options apart from one, which was the opportunity to participate in a research study taking place at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

He said: “This was my last hope. If I didn’t receive the study drug, I would have been dead within six months.”

Vaughan joined the study in April and is several months into his treatment. After initially attending the hospital for weekly treatments, he now has appointments every other week.

The treatment is an antibody therapy which is delivered by infusion. This means it is delivered through a small tube directly into the vein.

The study gives doses which are increased over time to help the patient tolerate the treatment.

Vaughan, from Bodmin, is now free of any tumours.

He is very grateful to all the staff who have looked after him throughout his journey but is particularly close to the research team staff.

He said: “Denise and Claire from the haematology research team look after me and help me with any problems. They are like family to me.”

Vaughan also feels that a positive mindset and practising meditation have helped his recovery.

The former self-employed builder had to change his career after his cancer diagnosis.

He now makes replica puppets, something which had previously been a hobby.