vacuum sucks away breast cancer tumour

January 31, 2017

Consultant radiologist Dr Taghreed Toma carried out the pioneering surgery
First time ever the innovative non-surgical procedure has been used to treat a malignant breast cancer tumour
Needle inserted into breast to suck away small amount of tissue until lumps gone

Daily Mail Reporter

Published:
20:21 EST, 30 January 2017

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Updated:
20:21 EST, 30 January 2017

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A British hospital has made history by becoming the first in the world to remove a cancerous breast tumour under local anaesthetic using a vacuum.

Consultant radiologist Dr Taghreed Toma carried out the pioneering surgery at Southend Hospital, Essex, in just 30 minutes.

It is the first time ever the innovative non-surgical procedure has been used to treat a malignant breast cancer tumour.

Consultant radiologist Dr Taghreed Toma (left) carried out the pioneering surgery at Southend Hospital, Essex, in just 30 minutes

During the surgery, a needle is inserted into the breast to suck away small amount of tissue until the lumps are gone.

Dr Toma said: ‘Traditionally, benign lesions of the breast were treated with surgery under general anaesthesia but my patient had additional conditions that meant it would be difficult to treat in that way.

‘Since 2005 I have been performing vaccuum assisted excision at the hospital, but only for benign lesions.

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‘As guidelines developed and improved to include other lesions, we felt the procedure was ideal for this particular case as the patient had a 5mm cancer and we didn’t want to risk general anaesthetic with her.

‘It meant that the patient could come here to the breast clinic to have the procedure and be sent home with 30 minutes.’

During the procedure, ultrasound or mammogram images are used to show the surgeon when all the lumps are gone.

The surgery has significant benefits to the patient as it’s far less invasive, with a needle puncture of the skin instead of surgery.

The surgery has significant benefits to the patient as it’s far less invasive, with a needle puncture of the skin instead of surgery

Just under half of women who have surgery for breast cancer have a mastectomy, while 57 per cent of sufferers opt for breast-conserving surgery (stock image)

The patient is then able to return home immediately afterwards and can resolve normal life and activities straight away. It also frees up hospital resources and beds.

Samuel James, clinical services manager at Southend Hospital, said: ‘Dr Toma is an asset to the Breast Unit as she is always looking to improve patient pathways and treatment outcomes.

‘I feel proud to work with such an excellent clinician. We are constantly looking at innovative new ways to improve patient care.’

Every year more than 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK.

It is the most common cancer and just over 80 per cent of people diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK have surgery.

Just under half of women who have surgery for breast cancer have a mastectomy, while 57 per cent of sufferers opt for breast-conserving surgery.