No-surgery cancer treatment approved

A new method of treating cancer which helped a North Staffordshire woman has now got the NHS go-ahead

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A METHOD that uses low energy X-rays to treat a type of cancer has been given the green light for NHS use, giving patients the chance to avoid surgery.

The treatment, known as Papillon, is a type of brachytherapy, which sends low doses of radiation directly to tumours.

It has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for fit rectal cancer patients whose tumours measure 3cm or less, and who choose not to have surgery or are too high risk.

Brachytherapy involves inserting an X-ray tube through the anus and into the rectum to deliver the internal radiotherapy.

Without surgery, patients could bypass the need for a stoma - an opening in the abdomen connected to the digestive system that diverts waste into a bag worn on the outside of the body.

Avoiding this procedure ‘substantially improves’ quality of life, Nice said.