Wythenshawe Hospital has developed a revolutionary robotic tool enabling doctors to detect lung cancer in the earliest stages meaning treatment time could be cut by months.
Lung cancer is difficult to diagnose due to small growths within lungs being hard to reach with traditional methods of removal so the growths must be allowed to get larger to be tested.
Those with suspected lung cancer are left waiting months before they can get a diagnosis and start treatment.
The robot will allow doctors to quickly and accurately access areas of the lungs which they would be unable to reach.
Dr Haval Balata, Respiratory Physician and Clinical Lead for the Ion Service at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: “The new robot is transformative in how patients could be treated, as treatment could be started much sooner or those without the disease could be given the all-clear – months earlier.
“Having this new innovative technology available for our patients to access is game changing.
“We all very much look forward to establishing this service for patients across the region over coming weeks and months.”
Dr Balata extended his thanks to the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Northwest Lung Charities.
Wythenshawe is one of the first hospitals in Europe to start using this technology and has been hailed as a significant step in early prognosis of the disease.
Early detection of lung cancer is essential – with those diagnosed at the initial stage being 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those who are diagnosed at a later stage.
Feature image: Biopsy © Copyright National Cancer Institute and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
