The drug is available on clinical trial in parts of the UK

Stephen Dallison, 33, a doctor of physics from Oxford, had a kidney removed earlier this year, but the disease has spread to his lymph glands.

But, he said the �2,600-a-month drug that has been recommended for him, Sunitinib, marketed as Sutent, has been refused to him by Oxfordshire PCT.

The trust said it did not routinely fund Sunitinib for renal cancer.

It should be given on whether the patient could benefit Stephen Dallison Cancer patient

The drug was suggested by his oncologist at Churchill Hospital, part of Oxfordshire PCT, said Mr Dallison.

The drug is used in countries such as France, Spain, Germany and the US, but has not been approved by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice), the UK's medicines advisory body.

Patient benefit

Mr Dallison said a member of the trust's board had told him he could not have the drug, "on the grounds of unproven clinical benefit".

But the board had requested further information from his oncologist that could possibly justify the application - about whether he was a carer or had young children, he said.

"This apparent contradiction leads me to the belief that the decision was made on grounds of cost.

"I'm single with no children, but I do have a severely autistic brother and my mother's getting on a bit - but that should be nothing to do with it.

"It should be given on whether the patient could benefit."