NUH leads the way in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patient survival across England and Wales | Latest news

Patients treated at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) are achieving some of the best outcomes in the country for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), according to the first national audit of its kind.

Data released by The National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NATCAN) shows that NUH has the highest one-year overall survival rate for patients with all Non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes across England and Wales. Adjusted for factors including case mix and deprivation, NUH was the only Trust to record survival rates more than three standard deviations above the national median.

The result is particularly significant given that NUH cares for the fifth highest volume of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients in England and Wales, demonstrating that excellent outcomes are being achieved at scale.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in the UK, with around 14,200 people diagnosed each year. While some forms of the disease can be aggressive, advances in treatment and specialist care are improving outcomes for many patients.

Professor Chris Fox, Consultant Haematologist at NUH, spoke to ITV Central news and said: "These results are a reflection of the outstanding work of our entire lymphoma service. Delivering the best survival outcomes is not down to one person or one team. It is about having the right people with the right expertise working together to provide the highest quality care for every patient.

"From diagnosis and pathology to specialist nursing, imaging services, pharmacy, chemotherapy delivery, clinical trials and follow-up care, every member of the team plays a vital role. We are proud that patients treated at NUH are benefiting from some of the very best outcomes in the country."

One of those patients is Andre Korol, who was referred urgently to Queen's Medical Centre by his GP in February 2023. Investigations revealed lesions on his liver and bowel and, following a biopsy, he was placed under the care of the NUH Haematology team.

Andre shared his memory with ITV, on a visit to City Hospital, of meeting Professor Fox for the first time:

"He took my hand and said there were a lot of lesions on my liver but told me not to worry because I could be cured. I just broke down and cried."

Andre went on to receive an intensive course of chemotherapy and was among the first patients at NUH to receive a newly approved NHS treatment following NICE approval in 2023.

Just months later, in October 2023, he received the news he had hoped for: there was no evidence of cancer.

"What got me the most was when I went to ring that bell and all the nurses and the amazing team waited and didn't clock off shift until they had seen me ring that bell.

"I am crying thinking about it now. I can't thank them enough. They are all unbelievable people."

The audit results highlight the impact of specialist expertise, access to innovative treatments and a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach, helping ensure patients across Nottinghamshire and the wider region have access to world-class lymphoma care close to home.

Professor Fox added: "While we are delighted by these results, our focus remains on continuing to improve. Every patient deserves the best possible chance of survival, and we will continue working to deliver outstanding care for everyone who comes through our doors."

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, part of the body's immune system.
• Around 14,200 people are diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year.
• The findings come from the first national lymphoma audit published by The National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NATCAN), based on data from patients treated between January 2022 and December 2023. National Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Audit (NNHLA) - National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre
• NUH recorded the highest adjusted one-year overall survival rate for all Non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes across England and Wales.