Curing cancer.

This programme is about how we are surviving cancer. UCH (University College Hospital) is one of the leading places which is driving forward medical innovations in this field.The progress of four patients is followed. One patient, Debra Cox, discovered she had a sarcoma which became metatastic moving into her lungs. How cancer progresses is explained by a series of consultants with biomedical CGI superimposed. She visits the Macmillian Cancer Centre with her husband, Drew. Her consultant Rowland Illing shows her images of the tumour and explains the options. The plan is to 'zap' by microwave the small tumours in her lung (microwave ablation). Dennis has had mantle cell lymphoma for several years. He is offered a novel unlicensed drug by his consultant Rakesh Popatwhich to treat his cancer having received courses of chemotherapy previously. This new inhibiting drug targets the lymphoma cells. UCLH is researching other new forms of treatment such as immunotheraphy. Jeffrey may have prostate cancer; he is participating in trials to identify new ways of detecting the disease. Deborah commences her treatment with some trepidation. The medical team have had excellent results with it and it is hoped that this will improve the quality of life for many patients. Debora feels well. Dennis' treatment also goes well and his tumour has deflated considerably after two weeks (the consultant is astonished). Jeffrey goes into hospital and numerous biopsies are taken. The slides are tested and the results will be available in a month. Pete has prostate cancer and is offered a place on a trial by his consultant Louise Dickinson. Treatment for prostate cancer is normally quite 'radical' (leading to damage to sexual function and continence) - the new treatment is more localised. Dennis's family rally round him. Pete talks about his feelings about his diagnosis. Debora has good news after her last treatment; the treatment worked and can be repeated if/when the other tumours grow to the same size. Pete is treated by high frequency ultrasound and despite trepidation, recovers well immediately after. Unfortunately Dennis finds out that the lymphona has grown and he has to stop the drug trial. He is offered chemotherapy.