Coventry Hospital Expands Cancer Scanner Use in World-First Trial

A Coventry hospital states it is the first globally to broaden the application of a novel scanner for cancer patients to include individuals with head and neck malignancies. University Hospital Coventry is conducting a clinical trial involving a device known as Aura-10, designed to verify the complete removal of cancerous tissue from patients while they are still undergoing surgery. Additionally, it is the inaugural facility in the United Kingdom to utilize this apparatus for prostate cancer treatment. Medical professionals at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust express their conviction that this technological advancement possesses the potential to be a “game changer” in enhancing cancer care. The Aura-10, an integrated unit comprising a CT scanner and a PET scanner within a compact, mobile design, is capable of generating high-resolution, submillimetre images of cancerous cells within a tumor in a mere 10 minutes. Presently, within the NHS framework, excised tumors must be dispatched to a laboratory for analysis; this process typically spans 4-5 weeks in Coventry. Gary Walton, a maxillofacial consultant affiliated with the trust, indicated that the device could consequently diminish a patient’s future requirement for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Its initial application occurred in October on an individual diagnosed with jaw cancer. Donald MacDonald, a urology consultant at the trust, has employed the Aura-10 during prostate cancer surgeries. He noted that approximately one-quarter of prostate cancer cases nationally involve incomplete removal, necessitating subsequent radiotherapy for residual cancer once laboratory results are available. In an additional quarter of instances, he observed that excessive tissue was excised, potentially leading to nerve damage and subsequent incontinence issues for patients. Mr. MacDonald stated that the scanner enabled him to confirm the complete removal of all cancerous cells, further explaining that additional tissue could be excised if necessary, given that the patient remained under anaesthesia. “This is an absolute game changer for prostate cancer surgery and has the potential to make Coventry one of the best prostate cancer centres in the world,” he said. Prior to the surgical procedure, patients receive Gallium68, a mildly radioactive compound that is absorbed by the tumor. Coventry is among a limited number of UK facilities possessing the capability to produce Gallium68. Oludolapo Adesanya, who serves as the clinical lead for nuclear medicine and the principal investigator for the trial, commented that establishing the necessary regulatory frameworks to commence the initiative required a year, but the effort proved worthwhile. John Elliot, the trust’s head of cancer services, noted that while the equipment carries an approximate cost of £250,000, it could yield financial savings due to existing staff shortages in histopathology and the reduced probability of requiring additional treatment. Mr. Elliot also expressed his conviction that it offers superior benefits for patients. He stated, “This is still a trial and we are about halfway through, but we are really excited about the results. They appear to be as good as the pathology labs and, in future, this could be used in a lot more areas of cancer care.” The trust reported significant interest from numerous hospitals, particularly those in London, regarding the work being conducted in Coventry, suggesting its potential adoption by other medical facilities. Further information from BBC Coventry & Warwickshire is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This material is copyrighted by BBC 2024; all rights are reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for content found on external websites and details its policy regarding external links.