A CANCER patient can now receive curative treatment thanks to an innovative diagnostic method performed for the first time in the UK by the Respiratory Team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

Kathleen Jackson was referred to the University Hospital of North Tees by Mr Sion Barnard, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, for the innovative method to sample lung abnormalities that are suspected to be early lung cancer. These are often far out in the lungs and hard to reach using conventional methods.

The procedure uses a novel technique which involves thin cameras to reach far into the lungs paired with an ultraminiature cryoprobe which then freezes and samples abnormalities.

The sample then collected from the 1.1mm thick cryoprobe can be sent for analysis by a pathologist. The explorative procedure is less invasive for the patient, who is sedated for their own comfort but fully conscious throughout.

Kathleen, who had been experiencing discomfort and pain in her chest for some time before the procedure, said:

“To be honest, it wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience, but everyone in the room was lovely and put me at ease.

“It was well worth it to obtain the diagnosis so we know exactly what it is and how to treat it.

“I’m living life again now. You can’t fully live life when something unknown is hanging over you, but now the carcinoid has been confirmed, the treatment can properly begin.

“I am confident about having an operation in the New Year which I am sure will be successful.”

Vandana Jeebun commented: “This tiny cryoprobe has never been commercially used in UK before and I felt it was specifically suited for this patient, on whom previous methods of biopsy at her own hospital have proven unsuccessful.

“The procedure went really smoothly and the equipment gathered the samples quickly and easily. It is different from the other cryoprobes we have used before for suspected lung cancer and fibrosis, due to ultraminiature size and its ability to get far out in the lungs with great flexibility. It is an exciting new tool that can help many other patients.

“We are reassured that as a result of this procedure, we now have a diagnosis and that she is able to access curative treatment; she is now in the highly competent hands of the Freeman surgical team, and we’re confident her treatment will be a success.”