Update. King s offers new brain surgery drug ISSUE 11 JUNE Dear colleagues,

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Update. King s offers new brain surgery drug ISSUE 11 JUNE Dear colleagues,"

Walter Eaton
5 years ago
Views:

Update ISSUE 11 JUNE 2010 Guy s and St Thomas, King s College Hospital and King s College London Dear colleagues, Welcome to issue 11 of the Integrated Cancer Centre Update.

cancer care to our patients. In this issue we focus on high dose rate brachytherapy, which delivers much faster and safer treatments to patients.

lymphodema. I hope you enjoy reading this roundup of our latest news and thank you for your continued support for the Integrated Cancer Centre.

1 Update ISSUE 11 JUNE 2010 Guy s and St Thomas, King s College Hospital and King s College London Dear colleagues, Welcome to issue 11 of the Integrated Cancer Centre Update. The establishment of a new Government, which is focused on improving cancer outcomes, gives us new challenges and opportunities and even greater impetus to achieve our goal of delivering outstanding cancer care to our patients. In this issue we focus on high dose rate brachytherapy, which delivers much faster and safer treatments to patients. We also highlight how improvements to the environment where treatment is carried out can greatly improve the patient experience and make it much less stressful, which also aids the mental well-being of patients. Read about Guy s and St Thomas Charity s funding of an improved CT scanner and two new breast cancer physiotherapists who are helping to promote exercise and are providing education on preventing lymphodema. I hope you enjoy reading this roundup of our latest news and thank you for your continued support for the Integrated Cancer Centre. Professor Arnie Purushotham Director, Integrated Cancer Centre For further information on the work of the Integrated Cancer Centre please contact: Dr Fran Woodard, Director Cancer Programme on or fran.woodard@gstt.nhs.uk King s offers new brain surgery drug King s College Hospital has become the first hospital in London to offer the use of a new one-off drug for patients, which helps surgeons carrying out delicate brain surgery to distinguish between tumours and healthy tissue. Patient Ian Hartley from Kent, became the first patient to undergo the surgery at King s in April. Mr Hartley was diagnosed with a brain tumour after seeking medical help following six months of mood swings and headaches. The drug comes in the form of a powder which is dissolved in water and then drunk by the patient three hours prior to surgery. The chemical in the drug is taken up by the cancerous cells in the brain which then show up as bright pink when put under a special light by surgeons. This enables surgeons to Ian Hartley and Keyoumars Ashkan continued overleaf

The fact that patients can now help their surgeon by simply taking a small drug with no major side-effects is a big step forward.

2 60 Seconds with page 2 continued from page 1 more easily distinguish between tumour cells and normal surrounding brain tissue. Mr Keyoumars Ashkan, consultant neurosurgeon, who carried out the surgery said: This is an exciting development for King s, and the patients we treat. The fact that patients can now help their surgeon by simply taking a small drug with no major side-effects is a big step forward. As a result, we can be more confident when operating by easily differentiating between cancerous and normal brain tissue. Mr Hartley said: I was apprehensive about the operation, but I knew I had to get it sorted. I am now recovering, and can now look forward to seeing my son get married later this year. King s is a major regional centre for neurosurgery, and treats more than 400 patients with brain tumours each year. This new technique is an example of how research in the laboratory is being used to bring about real benefits for patients. KCL debate engages alumni Professor Peter Parker and Professor Arnie Purushotham recently co-chaired a panel debate with the KCL alumni. The lively debate covered three topics: personalised medicine and ethics, the data explosion and handling patient information and mathematics and medicine. Discussions focused on the theme of a data deluge and confronted the problem of how to use this data and how to extract relevant patterns, that were informative for medicine. The afternoon ended with the topic of the Darwinian nature of cancer and our predisposition to cancer. Professor Peter Parker speaking at the event Robert Marcus Lead Cancer Clinician at King s College Hospital What is your role? Lead Cancer Clinician King s College Hospital, helping to coordinate the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer on the Denmark Hill site What has been the highlight for you so far? Working with such a committed and stimulating group of colleagues to develop the Integrated Cancer Centre, being part of the vision of King s Health Partners, to develop basic and clinical research for the well being of our local population. What are you most excited about? Building an integrated, seamless and efficient cancer service for the people living in South London. Ensuring that patients in what is one of the most deprived areas of the capital have access to rapid diagnosis, helpful information, adequate support and first class cancer chemotherapy. What do you think is the biggest challenge? Overcoming the geographical politics and trying to understand the sensitivities of three major institutions as they amalgamate to form a single cancer centre. New Macmillan Information and Support Centre opens at King s The Macmillan Information and Support Centre (ISC) opened in the Cicely Saunders Institute at King s College Hospital in May. It is the first purpose built Palliative Care Institute that integrates teaching, research and care. The purpose of the ISC is to provide a welcoming and relaxing environment for patients, carers or family and friends of people with cancer or other long term conditions. It is open Monday Thursday between 10am and 4pm. From September it will operate Monday Friday between 10am and 4pm.

page 3 Spotlight on Brachytherapy Guy s and St Thomas has launched a new centre offering the most advanced high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy radiation to patients in the UK.

3 page 3 Spotlight on Brachytherapy Guy s and St Thomas has launched a new centre offering the most advanced high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy radiation to patients in the UK. HDR brachytherapy involves delivering radiation to destroy tumours from inside the body either by inserting applicators into an orifice or via a needle. The Flexitron treatment machine costs 350,000 and can successfully eradicate tumours in up to four 15 minute sessions, rather than the conventional 20-hour procedure. This advancement means patients no longer have to undergo the discomfort of a general anaesthetic, and do not need to stay overnight in hospital. The machine also has significant safety benefits for patients, it can accurately deliver radiation to the nearest millimetre, and before the radiation source is inserted into the body, a dummy probe is put into position to ensure there are no internal obstructions in the way. Unlike most UK centres offering brachytherapy, the St Thomas team also has access to an advanced MRI scanner which produces 3-D images of the patient which shows the team exactly where the tumour is located and how large it is. This allows the oncologists to position the radiotherapy exactly where the tumour is protecting non-cancerous areas. To complement the installation of the new equipment, the medical physics team have also completely redesigned their treatment and work areas, so that patients and staff have the best facilities possible. Modern calming areas have been created with vibrant artworks aimed at making the patient s visit as soothing as possible. Anna Winship, consultant clinical oncologist said: This is a really exciting development and establishes St Thomas Hospital as a leading centre for HDR brachytherapy in the UK. To bring all these factors together so quickly has required a great deal of work, but when you see the benefits for patients and staff it is certainly all worthwhile. HDR brachytherapy can be used successfully on a wide range of cancers, although initially this treatment will only be offered to gynaecology patients. Back row L R: Kate Ferguson, Senior Staff Nurse for Brachytherapy, Sarah Aldridge Lead Brachytherapy Physicist, Naomi Thewlis, Advanced Brachytherapy Radiographer, Anna Winship, Consultant Clinical Oncologist. Front row patients: Sarah Branwood and Elizabeth Williams

page 4 King s hosts major urology cancer meeting Amanda Woodburn prepares a patient for a CT scan Revamped imaging unit improves efficiency and dignity A new state-of-the-art CT scanner and

In the last two years this number has risen by nearly 10,000. CT scans are used for patients with a wide range of conditions but they are vital for patients with all forms of cancers.

4 page 4 King s hosts major urology cancer meeting Amanda Woodburn prepares a patient for a CT scan Revamped imaging unit improves efficiency and dignity A new state-of-the-art CT scanner and re-modelled imaging unit at Guy s has improved the patient experience and increased efficiency. The demand for CT scans has significantly increased recently with 39,000 scans taking place last year. In the last two years this number has risen by nearly 10,000. CT scans are used for patients with a wide range of conditions but they are vital for patients with all forms of cancers. All newly diagnosed cancer patients have a CT scan within two weeks of diagnosis and the scans are then used throughout the treatment process. The new scanner uses advanced technology which is much more precise and allows clinicians to carry out interventional procedures at the same time as the scan. This enables the service to run more efficiently by treating more patients and reducing waiting times. The new scanner was funded by the Trust and Guy s and St Thomas Charity, who contributed 1.7 million. Before the new scanner was installed there were on average 1,100 scans a month. Since its installation this has increased to 1,600 a month. Patients are also benefitting from the redesigned imaging unit where inpatients and outpatients are seen in separate areas. Kim Robertson, Head of Radiology Services said: Previously inpatients and outpatients all waited in the same area for scans which could be distressing for newly diagnosed patients, who were sometimes sitting with patients who may have had months of rigorous treatment and were extremely unwell. We have created a much better environment for patients to have their scans now and the new scanner means that we can meet the demand to treat even more patients while maintaining their dignity within a comfortable environment. The Department of Urology at King s College Hospital hosted a major cancer meeting in collaboration with The Urology Section of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) last month. The event was attended by 150 delegates and was part of urology consultant Peter Thompson's programme as President of the Urology Section of the RSM. Speakers at the event included Dr Peter Harper, a distinguished oncologist, Mr Derek Fawcett, President of the British Urology Association, and Professors Nigel Heaton and Kypros Nicolaides from King s. The event also included distinguished speakers from overseas, such as Professor He, from the Chinese Urology Association, and Professor Pat Walsh, the principal guest and an internationally renowned prostate cancer surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA. Professor Walsh has not only made an enormous contribution to prostatic cancer surgery, which has led to the further development of laparoscopic and robotic surgery, but is also the author of Campbell's Urology which is the most prestigious urology text. Peter Thompson said: It is an enormous privilege and honour to King s that Professor Walsh attended and addressed the meeting. The department of urology at King s has long been associated with prostate cancer surgery and is one of the oldest urology departments in the country, and we were delighted to host the event. Professor Peter Thompson and Professor Pat Walsh

page 5 Charity boost to physiotherapy aids recovery Guy s and St Thomas Charity has funded two posts in breast care physiotherapy; one at Guy s and St Thomas and one other at King s College Hospital.

Surgery and radiotherapy can cause upper limb problems such as pain, scarring and reduced range of movement of the shoulder.

5 page 5 Charity boost to physiotherapy aids recovery Guy s and St Thomas Charity has funded two posts in breast care physiotherapy; one at Guy s and St Thomas and one other at King s College Hospital. The purpose of the posts is to develop physiotherapy services for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. Surgery and radiotherapy can cause upper limb problems such as pain, scarring and reduced range of movement of the shoulder. In order to help minimise such complications, the physiotherapist sees patients pre or post-operatively to teach exercises, encourage scar massage, and advise on gradual build up to full activity. Those patients who develop problems post operatively, or after radiotherapy can be referred to the physiotherapist for treatment to help prevent long term shoulder or arm problems. At King s College Hospital, the physiotherapy post is also funded to investigate the need for a specialist lymphoedema service to support patients who are at risk of developing lymphoedema (a chronic swelling of the hand /arm and or breast which can develop after auxilary surgery). There is also scope to explore patients wider care needs to see if further support is needed from other allied health professionals such as Siobhan McGarry, senior physiotherapist, with a patient in the Breast Care physiotherapist unit at King s College Hospital. psychology, spiritual services, occupational therapists and dietitians. The physiotherapists are currently in the process of developing a post-operative education group for breast cancer patients across both Trusts, with the aim of promoting exercise and providing education on preventative measures relating to lymphoedema. This proactive approach to patients treatment aims to support them early in their treatment and prevent longer term physical and psychosocial complications. We want to hear from you! This newsletter is designed to bring you news about the Integrated Cancer Centre from updates looking at the bigger picture to celebrating successes in our day-to-day services. Do you have a story that you would like to see featured in the next issue? Please any thoughts or suggestions to Michele Harris, communications manager at Michele.harris@gstt.nhs.uk

DCP Newsletter. Welcome. Issue 1 June Key Dates. National Men s Health Week June 2018

DCP Newsletter. Welcome. Issue 1 June Key Dates. National Men s Health Week June 2018 DCP Newsletter Issue 1 June 2018 Welcome Hello and a warm welcome to all of our readers of this first edition of the Dorset Cancer Partnership (DCP) newsletter. Each edition of this newsletter will provide