Cutting-edge cancer therapy used to treat patient quickly
Cutting-edge cancer therapy used at Nottingham City Hospital has enabled a team of Oncologists to quickly identify and treat a patient with a condition which sees cancer spread from their body, to the brain.
The patient has a history of Oesophageal cancer and previously had an operation to surgically remove the brain cancer. However a follow up MRI scan showed that it had returned.
Within three days of the scan being reported, the patient was seen by Dr Micheál O’Caithall, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and they discussed treating the brain cancer with a non-surgical type of radiation therapy, called Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS).
Within two weeks of the original scan the patient started treatment for their brain cancer.
This service at Nottingham City Hospital would not have been possible a few years ago, when patients would have to travel outside of the East Midlands to receive this specialist treatment, which would have delayed treatment.
This would have proved even more difficult for the patient, who cannot drive due to this condition.
Dr Micheál O’Caithall, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Nottingham University Hospitals said: “This case highlights the importance of a robust referral pathway for these cases. We endeavour to continue expanding our SRS service, making world class treatment more accessible to more patients, closer to home.”
Keith Girling, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals said: “This is a great example of excellent care, and a huge tribute to the whole team involved in the patient’s care.
“This was a very challenging cancer diagnosis, but the pathway we now have in place, which enables patients to be treated here in the East Midlands with Stereotactic Radiosurgery, is an enabler for providing such excellent and efficient care for our patients.
“I would like to stress that is really important if anyone is concerned about a new lump or mole or have any other health issues then please get in touch with your GP or in an emergency call 999. If you are unsure which service you need, call 111.”