Royal Surrey reaches a contact brachytherapy milestone
Staff at Royal Surrey Cancer Centre in Guildford are celebrating a 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 particularly effective for patients with early stage rectal cancer who seek organ preservation and wish to avoid surgery whenever possible. It is also suitable for older and less fit patients in whom surgery could carry health risks.
Barry Groves, 78, was the 500th patient to receive treatment using the machine. He said: “I was amazed. The team was unbelievably good. It gives you the opportunity to get treatment without having surgery, which is a good thing.”
The cancer centre, part of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, has been delivering contact brachytherapy since 2014. Team lead radiographer Gemma Vose explained: “The achievement of 500 treated patients marks an important moment in Royal Surrey’s journey, reflecting the impact of Papillon contact
brachytherapy 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 through a £200,000 donation from local charities BRIGHT and GUTS.
Clinical lead for brachytherapy Dr Alex Stewart commented: “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.”
Picture: delivering the 500th Papillon technique treatment was an achievement to celebrate.
Read this report on page 32 of the March 2025 issue of RAD Magazine.
