The British woman became the first cancer patient to be implanted with a specialized pump. Doctors say this experiment could change the rules of the game for thousands of sick people. The pump is designed to remove the dangerous build-up of fluid that occurs with many common types of cancer and can be a painful and hard hospital stay for the patient.
Experts hope that in the long run, this device will make it easier to follow the development of the tumor, so that it will be possible to respond faster with appropriate treatment.
Sixty-two-year-olds with ovarian cancer were pumped a few days ago at Hammersmith Hospital in London – doctors say the patient recovered quickly. Laura Spiers from the team caring for the patient said that a woman who works as a cleaner on a daily basis experienced great discomfort. “She was forced to report to the hospital every three weeks, and we drained four to five liters of fluid each time. It made her feel terrible, both physically and mentally. Due to the pressure exerted by the fluid, she was barely able to eat, the doctor says. – The patient is a very active person, she does not want to sit still, which made her an excellent candidate.
Regular clinical trials are due to begin in the UK after this first experiment, but the implant will not be routinely available for a while. However, if successful, the project could eventually change the whole approach to treating many types of cancer.
The project leader is Professor Hani Gabra, director of the Ovarian Cancer Action Research Center at Imperial College London. – Although our patient suffers from ovarian cancer, we are talking about a complication that occurs with many different types of cancer – she notes. About one third of women with ovarian cancer develop ascites, which is a collection of fluid in the abdomen. A similar problem can be caused by intestinal, uterine, pancreatic and breast cancer. Patients now have to go to the hospital on a regular basis for exhaustive drainage procedures, which can take up to several days.
“It is exhausting and debilitating to the body, and can even lead to death over time,” says Professor Gabra. – Every day in our clinic we have at least two or three people undergoing this procedure.
The scientist hopes that patients can be spared suffering by using the alfapump device, which pumps fluid from the abdominal cavity into the bladder, so that it leaves the body with the urine. The method has been tried in patients with liver disease, but now, for the first time, the pump has been implanted in an oncology patient. – It’s smaller than an iPod and charges wirelessly through your skin. You can sit and watch your favorite series, and the device is charging – he explains.
As Gabra assures, this way it is possible not only to enormously improve the quality of life of patients, but also to help doctors win a game of chess against cancer. “The fluid is full of cancer cells, so once the patient has released it with them, they can be analyzed – a potentially extremely important opportunity in the era of personalized medicine,” he adds.
Instead of performing invasive biopsies, doctors will be able to monitor the development of cancer through urine samples and react faster. “If this method is found to work, it will change the rules of the game,” he says. Also hopeful is Gilda Witte, head of Ovarian Cancer Action, a foundation that will finance clinical trials. – We are glad that we are able to support this project – she said.
Tekst: Chris Smyth