Hi-tech kit at Leeds hospital treats inoperable cancer

The lifesaving NanoKnife System is offered to patients with inoperable tumours at the Leeds Cancer Centre at St James’s Hospital thanks to the generosity of donors – including West Yorkshire firm Caravan Guard which gave £68,000.

Dr Tze Wah, consultant radiologist and clinical lead for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Interventional Radiology Programme, said she was delighted: “Charitable funding was essential to maintain this service for patients and we are very fortunate to have received so many generous donations.

“The new NanoKnife technology uses electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells but leaves surrounding normal tissue unaffected.

“For patients where the cancer site is too close to arteries, airways or the surface of organs, this treatment offers a real alternative.”

Peter Wilby, chairman of Halifax-based Caravan Guard and its sister company Wilby Ltd, heard of the appeal from a family friend whose wife and son have both received treatment at the Leeds Cancer Centre.

Mr Wilby said: “Our friends spoke highly about Leeds Cancer Centre and as a family, we agreed to make up the £68,000 shortfall for this pioneering treatment.”

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation Chairman Edward Ziff added: “We are delighted with this early Christmas gift to the Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal and extremely grateful to all our donors. This innovative technology will be a huge benefit to patients for many years to come.”