Patients with small lung cancers who are not fit enough for an operation are undergoing a new two-in-one procedure which can test for and destroy cancer cells in one sitting, without the need for surgery. 

The lung biopsy, combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy, is being offered to patients at Barnet Hospital. The treatment involves placing a needle electrode through the skin into a lung tumour. Electrical currents pass through the needle, creating heat that safely destroys the cancer cells. 

The treatment is being successfully used on patients with tiny lung cancers (those that are less than 3cm in size), and in those whose cancer has spread to the lungs from other areas of the body.

RFA is much less invasive than open surgery, so the procedure and recovery times are substantially shorter. It is a very effective way of destroying the central portion of a tumour, an area that typically tends not to respond well to radiotherapy.

This heat therapy treats the lung cancer at the same time as the biopsy, so patients need undergo only one procedure rather than two. Moreover, the procedure is carried out under light sedation rather than a general anaesthetic, so patients can safely go home the same day.

In addition, any collapsed lung (the commonest complication) is dealt with quickly using a small, portable device called a Heimlich valve, which operates safely when the patient is at home.

This procedure has been developed by radiologists Dr Sam Hare and Dr Ash Saini and has partly developed due to the unparalleled success of the ambulatory lung biopsy service, which won the inaugural Cancer Care NHS innovation Challenge Prize in 2016 for pioneering earlier lung cancer diagnosis and improved patient experience. 

Dr Hare said: “We hope this will improve the prognosis for patients who are not well enough to undergo surgery. This new way of both sampling and destroying small lung tumours, in a single hospital visit, is a very effective way of treating cancer and is another example of how doctors at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust continue to develop pioneering treatments for UK lung cancer patients.”

Mary Coman was one of the patients who has received the treatment and says she was delighted with how quick and easy the procedure was.

She was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010 – she had part of her bowel removed and had chemotherapy. The cancer reappeared in her liver two years later and she had another operation and further chemotherapy.

However, in January last year doctors discovered nodules on her lungs – three on one side and one on the other. She had surgery to remove the three nodules at a different hospital but then came to Barnet Hospital in January this year where she was given RFA to remove the final nodule.

Mary 60, from Ponders End, said: “It was absolutely fantastic. I was partially sedated, so I didn’t feel anything. The surgery has left me with some pain and scars that have yet to heal. But with this treatment I felt absolutely fine straight afterwards. I would definitely recommend it.

“The nurses and the doctor were looking after me throughout the procedure. Dr Hare called afterwards when I was at home to see if I was ok so I am really delighted with my care.”

ENDS

Image: Dr Ashish Saini and Dr Sam Hare 

Notes to editors

Media contacts: mary.mcconnell2@nhs.net or call 020 7472 6665

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.