School of Medicine develops robotic treatment offering new hope for liver cancer patients
A 92-year-old woman from North Yorkshire has become the first UK patient to receive a pioneering robotic-assisted treatment for a liver tumour which previously had no viable options.
Brenda Iveson was told that surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were not suitable due to the size and location of her tumour, as well as her frailty. However, a specialist team at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust offered her a new, minimally invasive procedure that has reduced her tumour by around 80%.
Brenda said: “I had been told there was nothing that could be done. So, to be offered this treatment gave me real hope. I’m so glad I went ahead—it wasn’t painful or debilitating, and I feel very well.”
This treatment allowed us to offer an option where there would otherwise have been none, opening up new possibilities for patients with complex tumours.
Pioneering approach
The treatment, known as electrochemotherapy, combines a low dose of chemotherapy with targeted electrical pulses, allowing the drug to enter cancer cells more effectively.
In this UK-first procedure, clinicians used robotic needle guidance to position needles precisely around the tumour. This technology improves accuracy, particularly in complex or hard-to-reach areas.
The procedure was led by Professor Tze Min Wah, Professor of Interventional Radiology at the University of Leeds and Research and Innovation Lead for the Interventional Oncology Programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Professor Wah said: “This treatment allowed us to offer an option where there would otherwise have been none. The addition of robotic guidance improves precision and opens up new possibilities, particularly for patients with tumours in difficult locations or who are not suitable for other treatments.”
Precision treatment
Delivered under general anaesthetic, the technique does not use heat, so it can be safely used near critical structures such as blood vessels and bile ducts. The location of Brenda’s tumour made conventional treatments too risky. The introduction of robotic guidance enabled clinicians to safely treat the tumour with greater precision. The success of the procedure reflects close collaboration between cancer specialists, radiologists, pharmacists and research staff, alongside industry partner IGEA.
Future impact
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is currently the only UK site offering this treatment as part of the RESPECT trial, which is gathering data on its effectiveness, safety and impact on patient outcomes. By taking part, Brenda has contributed to research that could benefit patients worldwide. She hopes others will consider participating in studies when options are limited. She said: “Research may offer real results when there are no other options. You’re looked after so well, and it’s how medicine moves forward.”
Follow-up scans show Brenda’s remaining tumour is stable, and clinicians will continue to monitor her progress.
Professor Mike Lewis, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Scientific Director for Innovation, said: "This pioneering research demonstrates how NIHR funding builds crucial research capacity across the whole country, giving talented clinicians the time they need to drive true innovation. By utilising cutting-edge robotics to deliver chemotherapy, this project directly aligns with the government's strategic focus on embracing innovative technologies and its 10-year health plan to shift the NHS from analogue to digital delivery. It is a fantastic example of how forward-thinking science can modernise patient care and keep the UK at the forefront of medical technology. We run our research for all our citizens, whatever age, wherever they come from and we wish Brenda a speedy recovery."
Top image: Patient, Brenda Iveson.
