24
Mar 2016
Cancer scanners reduce the risk of surgery
A study has suggested that hundreds of thousands of patients could be spared from risky operations through the use of a scanner.
Head and neck tumours are treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, currently followed up by an operation to confirm the outcome of the tumour following the treatment. The operation takes three hours and comes with the risk of complications, including movement problems if nerves are damaged, and disfigurement.
The scanning technique (PET-CT) uses a radioactive dye, picked up by cancer cells, and enables doctors to see if the tumour is still active. This approach also saves the health service £1,492 per patient.
The study, conducted by the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham, showed that 80% of the 564 patients studied were spared the risk of surgery by scanning the tumours instead. Importantly, survival rates stayed the same.
The University of Birmingham’s Prof Hisham Mehanna, said “Cancerous cells hide among the dead cells, with PET-CT you can call them out and find out whether they’re alive or not.
“We can now use this new technology to save patients having a debilitating operation and identify those that need the operation rather than give it to everybody.
George Freeman, Life Sciences Minister, said “This exciting trial has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of people with head and neck cancer, meaning that they may not have to undergo an extremely stressful medical procedure.”
Cancer Research UK’s Prof Arnie Purushotham, said “This is a really important study and if long-term follow-up confirms these results, this imaging technique could mean kinder treatments for patients with head and neck cancer.
“There could also be opportunities to expand this approach to other types of cancer and also potentially saving money for the NHS.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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