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The first NHS patient has received a pioneering new facility liver cancer treatmentWhich uses focused ultrasound waves to destroy the disease.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge is the first hospital in Europe to offer this procedure, known as histotripsyOutside clinical trials.
This innovative method works by using ultrasound to create microscopic bubbles of gases in tumor tissue, which form and collapse in microseconds to destroy cancer cells.
It takes less than 30 minutes without the need for surgery, radiation etc. ChemotherapyWhich means patients spend less time in hospital.
Histotripsy was performed on Roger Jackson, 80, at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
Dr Teik Choon See, Consultant Interventional Radiologist Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) led the process, which took place earlier this month.
He said: “Histotripsy represents a major and exciting step forward in cancer treatment.
“This allows us to more precisely target the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, giving patients a safer and faster alternative to traditional treatments.
“What’s even more promising is that in some reported cases, after the sound waves break up the tumor, the patient’s immune response can be activated and clear out some of the remaining cancerous tissue, which shows real hope for patients.”
Mr Jackson, a retired sales manager from Bedford, was discharged the day after histotripsy.
He said: “I had the privilege of being the first NHS patient and it was an amazing experience to receive this care.
“It’s impressive to think that sound waves can cure cancer, without requiring patients like me to undergo intensive surgery, in what is already a stressful time.
“I am extremely grateful to the team at Addenbrooke’s for the expert care and expertise.”
Mr Jackson’s treatment is the first to be used after the histotripsy technique was fast-tracked and granted Unmet Clinical Need Authorization (UCNA) in Great Britain under the Innovative Devices Access Pathway.
The UCNA, which is overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), grants access to medical devices under certain conditions before full regulatory approval.
Addenbrooke’s will initially offer the treatment to selected patients with primary and secondary liver cancer tumors.
Roland Sinker, chief executive of CUH, said: “Histotripsy represents an extremely exciting and new era of cancer innovation and care.
“With faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays, this not only reduces the strain on our hospital beds, but it also frees up surgeons to focus on more complex cancer cases, helping to cut waiting times.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting He said the move “marks the beginning of a new generation in cancer treatment”.
“We are lighting the fuse under a technological revolution, transforming the care of NHS patients,” he said.
“By cutting red tape, we have ensured that this game-changing new cancer treatment reaches the NHS front line faster, and I am proud to say that British patients are now the first in Europe to benefit.
“This government has streamlined approval processes to create an NHS fit for the future, protecting patients while harnessing the full potential of our scientists and NHS staff so they can deliver world-class care.”
The histotripsy technique was developed in the US and has treated more than 2,000 patients worldwide since receiving Food and Drug Administration approval in 2023 for the destruction of liver tumors.
Studies are underway to find out its effectiveness on other cancer types.