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Leeds man recovers from brain surgery in hours
A Leeds man had his brain tumour zapped in 30 minutes – and was playing golf the next day.
John Langford was the first patient to be treated by a 3m new world-leading machine just installed at the St James's Institute of Oncology at St James's Hospital in Leeds.
The 65-year-old won a bet with friends who didn't believe he would be at the gym and playing golf at his club in Adel, Leeds, 24 hours after treatment.
But the revolutionary Elekta PerfexionTM Gamma Knife uses targeted gamma rays to destroy tumours accurately and quickly, with no incision.
Previously Mr Langford would have needed brain surgery.
The retired insurance broker said: "It was the opportunity to have treatment on the tumour which was non-intrusive, without the recovery period and all that goes with it.
"To me it was a no brainer."
Mr Langford was diagnosed with a benign tumour three years ago after he progressively lost hearing. Last October medics told him he needed treatment.
But instead of going to Sheffield – where the nearest gamma knife has been – he became the first patient of the hi-tech new Leeds model.
The father-of-three said he suffered only minor discomfort as he underwent the treatment and no side effects.
It will be several months before the effect can be monitored, but Mr Langford said he was excited to be the first person to benefit.
"I think it's great," he said.
"I suppose it could've been slightly nerve-racking, the whole operation, but being the number one patient has put that very much to the back of my mind.
"I think it's absolutely superb for Leeds. It's a wonderful facility."
Mr Langford's consultant, neurosurgeon Stuart Ross, said the machine used high energy radiation focused on a small area.
"In those tumours where we can use it, it will allow us to treat the tumour without upsetting the brain very much.
"That makes the treatment easier to withstand and easier to get over afterwards."
During the procedure the patient is placed in a head frame to allow the exact area to be treated to be targeted by gamma radiation.
Mr Langford was only in the machine for about 30 minutes and patients usually only need one treatment.
His consultant said he was thrilled with the new kit.
"I feel very privileged and I am quite excited to be able to use this kind of therapy," Mr Ross added.
The gamma knife, which is at the new 220m Bexley Wing, could treat over 300 NHS and private patients a year.
It has been brought to Leeds through a partnership between Nova Healthcare and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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