The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Today, we're joining the international cancer community in raising awareness of head and neck cancer on World Head and Neck Cancer Day. ➡️ Head and neck cancer is an umbrella term for cancers of the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, thyroid and salivary glands. ➡️ Head and neck cancers are the 8th most common form of cancer in the UK with over 12,000 cases diagnosed each year. ➡️It is estimated that between 20% and 40% of head and neck cancers will return after treatment. ➡️ In England, between 28% and 67% survive their disease for five years or more. In 2021, The Royal Marsden established The International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer (IReC). ✨ Funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, IReC is the world’s first research centre specialising in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer. IReC’s objective remains to prolong and improve the quality of life for head and neck cancer patients at The Royal Marsden, across the UK, and globally. https://bit.ly/3Yl01Dl #WHNCD #IREC #cancerresearch

A new 'olive oil' drug has shown promise for some brain cancer patients, following an early study led by The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research. The Phase 1/2 trial enrolled 54 patients with advanced solid tumours. Of the 21 patients with glioblastoma treated, 24% responded to the drug. One patient experienced an exceptional response, which lasted more than three years. Named 2-OHOA, the treatment is derived from oleic acid. This naturally occurs in animal and vegetable fats, such as olive oil, and works by reshaping the walls of cancer cells, blocking growth signals that drive the disease. Study lead Dr Juanita Lopez, Consultant Medical Oncologist, said: “There hasn’t been an effective new treatment for this patient group in nearly two decades, so drug development needs to be accelerated. "Patients with brain cancer often don’t have the opportunity to participate in early phase trials. This shows the importance of research into novel drugs like 2-OHOA.” The treatment is now being trialled in a randomised Phase 2b/3 for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. #cancerresearch #clinicaltrial #royalmarsden #gliboblastoma

"We are collaborative, we're innovative, we all work together." We asked our #SuperSurgeons why The Royal Marsden is such a special place to work. The Royal Marsden is an internationally renowned cancer hospital that delivers care for patients all the way through the cancer journey, from diagnosis into survivorship. Our world-class team offers outstanding cancer care from our two centres in Chelsea and Sutton. We employ over 4,000 staff in a diverse range of careers, including nursing, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. You can find out more about what it's like to work at The Royal Marsden, and information about our current vacancies, on our website 👇 https://bit.ly/3nPFnHq

“Artificial intelligence (AI) may allow clinicians to personalise cancer care and treatment on an unprecedented level” - Dr Brandon Whitcher, Lead in Radiomics and Computational Imaging With computers increasingly able to undertake complex problem-solving tasks that are usually done by humans, AI could vastly improve how we diagnose, treat and monitor the disease. At The Royal Marsden, with support from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, we’ve been working with AI technology for many years. This includes building and testing algorithms aimed at improving the treatment and care of patients and developing a robust infrastructure, supported by specialist roles and equipment, to harness this technology. We spoke to Dr Brandon Whitcher on the ways he uses AI in his role to drive advances in the hospital, and beyond. “My team works at the coalface of AI in the hospital. I’m a statistician by training, so I’m responsible for creating the algorithms that can read medical images, such as CT or MRI scans, of patients with cancer or potential disease. Once I have these, I turn the data into useable information. “A key part of my role is driving our use of radiomics. This is a type of AI that looks at scans and sees more deeply than the human eye. "This can give clinicians more information on, for example, whether cancer is present on the scan, the subtype or aggressiveness. “This approach may eventually allow clinicians to personalise cancer care and treatment on an unprecedented level, improving outcomes as a result.” https://bit.ly/43zjJvM

"I do this job to help people. Being a surgeon is a technical exercise, but for me, it's literally one person helping another. The ability of one human to help another human is, I think, one of the most beautiful things in the world." "Most of my patients are people I would consider to be friends. I know their families, and they update me with life events. "It means something to me when I get a postcard from somebody who's climbing up the base camp of Everest, or who's now able to jump off a cliff somewhere in the Greek islands. I feel as though I've contributed to them being able to do that. "When they send a picture of their grandson, or the wedding of their daughter, I feel part of that. That's what makes it worthwhile. " If you've been watching #SuperSurgeons, you will have seen Mr Rasheed in action alongside our skilled colleagues in our Theatre Department. Our multidisciplinary teams are among the best in the world and our patients benefit from their world-leading expertise. Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed is one of the only surgeons in the UK using the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot to perform colorectal cancer surgery. He specialises in primary, locally advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer. You can read more about Mr Rasheed's career, what he enjoys most about working at The Royal Marsden and the importance of early diagnosis on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3Y36J0X #colorectalcancer #cancersurgeon #surgeon

Following his appearance in Channel 4's Super Surgeons, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Mr Myles Smith, was interviewed by Miriam O'Callaghan on Ireland's national radio station, #RTÉ Radio 1. Mr Smith details the specialised training he undertook in Ireland and Canada and discusses the intricate surgeries he leads at The Royal Marsden alongside our multidisciplinary teams. Catch up on their conversation here > https://bit.ly/3VWQMGR #surgicaloncology #SuperSurgeons

July is #SarcomaAwarenessMonth and we're joining the global cancer care and research community in raising awareness about this rare and often overlooked group of cancers. Sarcoma is very rare, making up less than 2% of all cancers diagnosed in the UK each year. Our Sarcoma Unit is one of the largest soft-tissue sarcoma units in Europe, recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating soft-tissue sarcomas. If you've been watching #SuperSurgeons, you will have seen some of the innovative surgery we perform on complex #sarcoma cases. You can read more about our Sarcoma Unit and the ways we support patients on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3OZZak0

Happy 76th birthday to the NHS! 🎂 We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff and volunteers, past and present for making The Royal Marsden what it is today. Our organisation continues to make a lasting impact on the NHS – none of which would be possible without the dedication of our staff. From our cooks to clinicians, managers to mental health nurses, and pharmacists to physiotherapists — thank you for everything you do, every day 💕

Have you been watching #SuperSurgeons on Channel 4? 👀 📺 When our patients wake up from their surgery they are under the care of our wonderful Recovery Unit. The Recovery Unit is an essential but lesser-known department who support people in the vital moments after their surgery and before they return to the wards to see their loved ones. Here, members of the team share their insights into the ways in which they care for patients, ensuring they recover safely and comfortably from their operation. Lovelie Sio, a Senior Staff Recovery Nurse, explains: "Being a recovery nurse is about advocating for patients when they are at their most vulnerable. It is a big responsibility. "My job is about being a kind and reassuring presence and – importantly – ensuring people are safely transferred to the wards where they can be reunited with their loved ones. "It is an extremely rewarding job – we care for patients as they come round from anaesthesia by managing their pain and comfort levels and regularly monitoring their vital signs." Tina Kitcher, Theatre Practice Educator and Sister, says: "It is very disorienting having general anaesthetic, so I always make sure each patient is gently reassured as to where they are and what the time is once they wake up. "For some people, being in recovery can be the first time they allow themselves the opportunity to have an emotional release. "We are conscious that not only have our patients undergone surgery, they have also received a cancer diagnosis and are undergoing a particularly difficult chapter in their lives. “Patients can talk to us about how they are feeling. This can be an ideal opportunity to suggest whether they would consider speaking to our psychological services or to speak to their clinical nurse specialist.” Read more insights from our Recovery Team on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3Hhxrcl #SuperTeam #SuperSurgeons #cancerhospital #NHS

🥇 Last month, we launched the UK's first robotic genome testing facility for cancer patients with our partner Automata - a leading automation company powering automation in life sciences labs. This innovative installation will double our genetic testing capacity and expand the range of tests we perform within our existing lab space. 🔬 How does the technology work? Through Automata’s LINQ platform, sample pathways for saliva, tissue biopsies, blood and bone marrow are being automated. LINQ is a ‘smart’ laboratory bench that houses and connects equipment using robotic and digital technology. Equipped with six robotic arms, the specialist cancer centre’s installation will substantially increase the throughput of the cancer testing lab without compromising on accuracy. It will primarily test for mutations in the BRCA genes, which can impact risk of various cancers including breast and ovarian. 📈 What impact will this have? With increased capacity thanks to automation, we will not only be able to process more somatic tests but also launch new genetic – or cancer germline - testing. This type of genomic testing identifies inherited genetic changes that can increase risk of cancer and, for patients with the disease, can also be used to identify the right treatments. Patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond will benefit from increased access to genomic testing, which can help: - identify potential risk of cancer - diagnose the disease - and personalise treatments. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, it will also give laboratory technologists and scientists more time for vital development work. Read more about this exciting new facility on our website: https://bit.ly/3x2B1G4