A milestone in cancer care is cause for celebration for Royal Surrey staff | News

Royal Surrey staff are celebrating a significant milestone after treating their 500th rectal cancer patient using a cutting edge radiotherapy technique.

As one of only four centres in the UK offering treatment with the contact brachytherapy Papillon machine, Royal Surrey serves not only the south of England and Wales but also treats patients from overseas.

Named after a French professor of medicine who first used the treatment in the 1940s, the Papillon machine delivers targeted internal radiotherapy using low energy x-rays close to the tumour. It has the advantage of pinpointing the treatment area very precisely, limiting any potential damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Contact brachytherapy has been proven especially effective for patients with early stage rectal cancer who seek organ preservation and wish to avoid surgery whenever possible. It is also very suitable for older and less fit patients in whom surgery could carry health risks.

Barry Groves, 78, was the 500th patient to have received treatment using the Papillon machine.

He said: "I was amazed. The team were unbelievably good.

"It gives you the opportunity to get treatment without having surgery, which is a good thing.”

Since 2014, Royal Surrey has been a leader in delivering contact brachytherapy.

Gemma Vose, Team Lead Radiographer said: “The achievement of 500 treated patients marks an important moment in Royal Surrey’s journey, reflecting the impact of Papillon - contact brachytherapy therapy on the lives of countless individuals.

“The hospital’s commitment to offering alternatives to traditional surgery has helped patients preserve organ function and quality of life while effectively managing their cancer.

“This milestone is a testament to the expertise and dedication of the clinical team, whose tireless work ensures that patients receive access to this innovative treatment.”

The introduction of Papillon to Royal Surrey Cancer Centre was made possible thanks to a generous £200,000 donation from local charities BRIGHT and GUTS, whose unwavering dedication to advancing cancer care research has played a critical role in the hospital's progress.

Dr Alex Stewart, Clinical Lead for Brachytherapy, said: "The Papillon machine allows patients to make choices in their treatment based around what they want their future quality of life to be. It’s not only important to live after cancer treatment but to live well, with the best quality of life possible. This is why Royal Surrey led the CITRuS trial, which continues in 26 centres around the country, and is assessing quality of life in colorectal cancer patients, including our Papillon patients.

"The more we know what symptoms that treatment may cause, the better placed we are to resolve them quickly."

The trial runs with the invaluable continuing support of the BRIGHT and GUTS charities.