We are The Christie magazine March 2025 Staff edition

News in brief

A new type of cancer care doctor is born The Christie has launched a pioneering training programme to develop a new type of supportive oncology doctor. Three fellows, including Dr Ahmed Aboelnaga (pictured right), are joining the service, which aims to improve the quality of life for cancer patients living with complex treatment side effects. “I am thrilled to be one of the first of a new type of cancer care doctor working to improve the quality of life for

News in brief

patients with complex needs.” says Dr Aboelnaga. The supportive oncology service helps over 2,000 patients a year, offering holistic care like psychological support, pain management and therapy for long-term cancer effects. Dr Richard Berman (pictured left) explains, “The three doctors recruited already have an excellent understanding of the principles of supportive oncology and are passionate about its role in cancer care now and in the future.” When training is complete, they will spread best practice internationally, with new fellows taking their place at The Christie.

Pioneering research in radiotherapy for children

Investments in latest skin cancer treatments Patients with non-melanoma skin cancer are benefitting from a new £175,000 superficial treatment machine at The Christie. This low-energy

Researchers here at The Christie and The University of Manchester are leading a study to reduce long-term side effects caused by radiation in children with brain tumours. While radiotherapy is effective, it can cause side effects like memory problems and hormonal issues. The team has identified a radiation-sensitive region in the brain linked to cognition and hormone production. “We did not expect this frontal region to be as important as it is,” says Professor Marianne Aznar. “We thought it would be the hippocampus as it’s a well-defined structure that’s well known to be associated with memory, so to see that the grey matter at the front of the brain is so important was surprising.” The team is working on a 'brain atlas' to guide treatment plans for radiotherapy and proton beam therapy.

radiotherapy is used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is delivered to around 130 patients annually across 550 treatment sessions. Muriel Large, the first patient treated with the machine, was referred for post-operative radiotherapy after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma on her nose. She recently completed treatment with no immediate side effects. “I cannot fault any of the staff who have cared for me,” said Muriel. “They have all been brilliant. My consultant, Dr Agata Rembielak, has been lovely, and the staff member who helped fit my treatment mask had a great bedside manner.” The Xstrahl 150 X-ray system replaces an old machine, offering greater accuracy and adaptability. This is part of a £370,000 investment in our superficial treatment service. Robotic surgery milestone reached Our surgery team recently completed their 10th robotic adrenalectomy (removal of one or both of the adrenal glands) as a day case. Adrenalectomies are primarily carried out on people with adrenal tumours. Robotic surgery is keyhole surgery, meaning that patients have quicker recovery times, getting back to their daily lives sooner. The Christie was one of the first hospitals in the country to perform robotic operations in 2008. We now carry out one of the highest volumes of robotic operations in the UK. "Robotics has revolutionised minimally invasive surgery and is reflected in our ability to treat patients effectively. Our day case adrenalectomy

'United by Unique' exhibition showcases patients’ artwork Pat Mountford has been the artist-in-residence at The Christie for 21 years. She runs weekly drop-in art classes for staff and patients at our Withington site. To mark World Cancer Day, Pat worked with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre to organise a free exhibition of 15 artworks by patients who attend the class. The ‘United by Unique’ collection is available online at mcrc.manchester.ac.uk/united-by-unique, and includes a group painting symbolising the supportive atmosphere of the art room. “The magic that’s created in this room never fails to astound me, it’s a special place. Sharing the stories alongside the paintings is really important as spending time in the art room really makes a difference to patients’ wellbeing,” says Pat. The art room is funded by The Christie Charity and can be found in department 12 on the main corridor of our Withington site.

programme is a true team effort from our theatre and endocrine team, the day case ward nurses and our enhanced recovery team," comments Mr Aziz Gulamhusein, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon.

If you’d like to read more about these stories, please visit: christie.nhs.uk/news

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