A Bradford woman has become just the second person in the UK to trial new cancer treatment.

Sheila Riley, 68, who lives near Odsal Stadium, underwent the new treatment for liver cancer at St James’s hospital, Leeds.

The treatment was a partnership between St James’s Hospital in Leeds and the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle as part of US-based 'HistoSonics’ #HOPE4LIVER study.

It took a record-breaking six minutes and 58 seconds to complete.

Sheila was first diagnosed with liver cancer in 2021 and had the surgery in August.  

Sheila received the treatment which uses the novel science of histotripsy, a form of therapeutic focused ultrasound, to destroy targeted primary and metastatic liver tumours without the need for invasive incisions or needles entering the patient’s body.

Sheila said: “I had my reservations, but I was taken through the procedure step by step.

“I thought what have I got to lose and any research into cancer treatment is a step forward.”

The first treatment using the new technology by HistoSonics was undertaken at a Florida hospital in February 2021 with a patient in Germany subsequently becoming the first in Europe.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is the first location in the UK to enrol patients in the #HOPE4LIVER study and is working in collaboration with Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the treatment to patients in Leeds and Newcastle.

It is hoped that following a successful trial this new method of treatment will become available more widely for eligible patients in the UK.

Dr Tze Min Wah, Senior Consultant Radiologist in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, who is leading the #HOPE4LIVER trial in Leeds, said: “It is exciting to be given this opportunity to lead this pioneering trial using histotripsy to treat liver cancer.

“This is the first ‘surgical’ treatment of liver cancer that requires no needles or scalpels.

“In addition, this procedure also involves no radiation.

“There is a real potential to truly shift the paradigm of liver cancer treatment in the future with this innovative technology and further potential for translation into cancer treatment of other sites.”

Sheila said: “Whilst I was in hospital the care, I received was first class; I got looked after like a Queen!”

“I feel very fortunate to have had this treatment.”

Sheila praised the staff at St James’s hospital especially those in the cancer unit.

“If I was to win the lottery next week, I would give it to them because they looked after me so well.”

Sheila is on the road to recovery but has a meeting later next month regarding a small tumour the treatment wasn’t used on.

“I’ve got a consultation booked in for October and after that we’ll decide what kind of surgery I’ll have done.

“I’ve had to push my holiday to next year but hopefully it’ll be done with.”