Some cancerous tumours are too difficult or too dangerous to access
using traditional surgery without damaging other major organs or blood
vessels.
The pioneering NanoKnife procedure is being used in a number of
hospitals around the world on cancer patients who have run out of other
treatment options.
Though it is not a cure, doctors claim this minimally invasive form of
surgery may be the only lifeline available to patients suffering from
soft tissue sarcoma like pancreatic cancer.
“Between the two needles there’s a very high voltage being applied –
up to 3000 volts – and when you apply such a huge voltage, what
happens is it destabilises the cells, the cell membrane, and it creates
nano holes inside the cell membrane, so it is literally creating holes
inside the lining covering the cells,” says Doctor Edward Leen, who is
pioneering the treatment on prostate cancer patients at The Princess
Grace Hospital in London.
The electrical pulses are contained between the electrodes, minimizing
damage to surrounding healthy cell tissue, blood vessels and other
important structures.
“With these holes appearing in the cell membrane what happens is that
the cell basically just like commits suicide. They die because, it’s a bit
like, you know if you have multiple holes in your skin, all your fluid
will just leak out, this is the same kind of scenario,” says Dr Leen.
Professor Leen says early results are under study: “The data we have
shows we can control the disease, but it’s certainly not a cure and it is,
certainly in the case of the pancreas, it would certainly be advised to
be used in combination with chemotherapy.”
While the NanoKnife treatment has the potential to prolong survival and
improve quality of life, its precise target zone means it is not suitable
for patients whose cancer has spread or for those suffering from heart
problems.
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