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Innovative
‘Bead Therapy’ that can extend life expectancy for liver cancer
patients
A leading researchers from the Royal Liverpool
University Hospital have been pioneering an innovative new technique
to treat patients with liver cancer that can extend their life
expectancy and reduce side effects.
In a study of 34 patients with a type of liver cancer called HCC (hepatocellular
carcinoma), being treated at the Royal with this new technique, in
50% of patients the size of their tumour was reduced and in a
further 25% the tumour stopped growing during the time of the study.
The technique called:- ‘trans-arterial chemoembolisation'
(TACE), involves the delivery of tiny particles or ‘beads’
containing high doses of cancer fighting chemotherapy drugs. These
are given to the patient using ‘keyhole’ surgery and
are delivered by a highly trained interventional radiologist using
x-ray technology to guide the beads directly to the tumour. Once in
place these beads attack the cancer in 2 ways; by delivering high
doses of chemotherapy directly to the tumour and secondly by cutting
off the blood supply to the tumour, starving it of the oxygen it
needs to grow.
Commenting on the findings of the study, lead researcher Dr Jonathan
Evans, consultant radiologist said:- "For patients with this
type of liver cancer, who are not suitable for open surgery, life
expectancy can be very low. Evidence from this study suggests that
life expectancy could be extended quite considerably using this new
technique, whilst side effects from chemotherapy such as nausea have
been greatly reduced. We are at the forefront of pioneering this new
technique, ensuring that local people get access the very latest
cancer treatments at the Royal."
Robert Price, 80, was diagnosed with liver cancer in
2007. He 1st went to his doctor complaining of a painful stomach and
a scan of Robert’s abdomen revealed that he had a massive tumour on
his liver, which was growing into his bowel. Robert said:-
"I was then referred to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital
for surgery but the surgeon found that the tumour was so large,
measuring 15cm, which was about the size of a large ostrich egg,
that surgery would involve cutting away so much of my liver that I
would die of liver failure. Surgery accordingly had to be ruled out
and I was given a life expectancy of some 6 months."
Robert was then referred to Dr Jonathan Evans, a consultant
radiologist at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for
treatment. Dr Evans discussed with Robert about using trans-arterial
chemoembolisation (TACE) with drug-eluting beads, an innovative new
technique to treat patients with liver cancer which involves the
delivery of tiny particles or ‘beads’ containing high
doses of a cancer fighting chemotherapy drug. These beads were
injected through a tiny catheter, which was inserted through an
artery in Robert’s groin and fed through the main artery in his
abdomen to reach the liver artery supplying the tumour, starving it
of oxygen. Robert said:- “After the 1st treatment, Dr
Evans said that a scan showed some dead tissue in the tumour. After
the second, he said that there was more dead tissue in the tumour.
And after the third and final treatment Dr Evans gave me the
incredible news that the tumour was totally dead. I couldn’t believe
it. It was a miracle. Having been told that I only had several
months to live to then being told that the all the cancer cells had
been eradicated was staggering.”
Since having TACE, Robert has had check-up scans every year. He has
now been well for 6 years. Robert said:- “I was a full-time
solicitor when I first became ill so I had to retire almost
immediately. When I was given the original prognosis I thought that
I wouldn’t get to live out more than a few months of my retirement.
However, 6 years on and I am still going strong! I am so grateful to
Dr Evans and the staff at the Royal; without whom, I simply wouldn’t
be here. Instead, I am loving retirement and relaxing in my home
which overlooks the sea. Dr Evans and his team did a phenomenal job
and words can’t express how thankful I am.” |
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A MARVEL-LOUS
ART COLLECTION IN LIVERPOOL
WALL to Wall gallery
unveils Marvel’s debut fine art collection. Chosen by legendary
comic book editor, Stan Lee, 6 of the publisher’s iconic covers have
been turned into individual pieces of art. Some of Marvel
Comics’ most celebrated comic book covers have been launched as a
limited edition collection of art entitled ‘Superheroes’
by Wall to Wall, located on the ground floor of the Metquarter.
 Chosen,
curated and signed by Stan Lee, the 6 piece series of limited
edition art brings to life classic comic book covers, including The
Amazing Spider-Man, The Invincible Iron Man, X-Men, The Avengers,
The Silver Surfer and The Incredible Hulk. Created using specialised
techniques and materials, the striking artwork reflects the vivid
and powerful legacy of Marvel.
 Fans
will instantly recognise the significant covers illustrated by some
of the world’s most acclaimed comic book artists, including The
Incredible Hulk Special #1, which TV presenter and well-known Marvel
lover, Jonathan Ross, believes is the greatest comic book cover of
all time, created by the greatest comic book cover artist ever, Jim
Steranko.
Jen Spencer, manager at Wall to Wall, said:- “This collection
showcases some of the most iconic comic book covers ever to have
been created, featuring some of the most renowned characters ever to
have been developed. The artwork itself is not only incredibly
striking; the intense colours, the bold lines and the way in which
the essence of each superhero is captured in just one frame; but
each cover communicates a wonderful narrative. What Stan Lee and his
artists achieved here was to tell a story in just one image. The
communicative style of this kind of art tells us about humanity, the
struggles, the triumphs, the trials, the tribulations and that, is
something everyone can identify with."
As editor at Marvel from 1941, Stan Lee led the expansion of the
company from a small division in a publishing house to a large
multimedia corporation, dubbed The Marvel Revolution, making it the
most popular and collected comic brand in the world.
Commenting on creating the iconic superheroes, Stan Lee said:-
“To start I think about what quality I can give the hero that
makes them unique, that hasn’t been seen before, but is still
logical. And then, I think about how I can make people
care about the superhero. Coming up with the super power is almost
easy, making a reader think ‘why do I want to read more about this
guy?’ that’s the hard part. Spiderman is the perfect example of
this. He’s a teenager with money problems and girl problems; a hero
the average reader can empathise with. I spent more time on
Spiderman’s personal life than the action and used more ‘thought
balloons’ for him than any other character. I’m incredibly lucky to
have worked with amazing artists in an atmosphere where we were
always thinking ‘what we can do next?’ The new characters we
created; The Hulk, Spider-Man, X-Men;– changed Marvel and attracted
the fan base. I’m lucky to have been; and still be a part of that
and I enjoy every minute.”
Marvel’s debut fine art collection, ‘Superheroes’, is
available to view and buy at Wall to Wall gallery, located on the
ground floor of the Metquarter, 35 Whitechapel. Comprising 6 prints,
The Amazing Spiderman #50; The Incredible Hulk Special #1; The
Silver Surfer #4; The Invincible Iron Man #47; Giant Size X-Men #1;
The Avengers #146, individual pieces in the series start from £695.
The Wall to Wall Gallery is located on the Ground Floor, The
Metquarter, 35 Whitechapel, Liverpool, L1 6DA. |
