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The human body
is an extraordinary machine.
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00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:11,130
Every day, billions of our cells
are being replaced with new ones.
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00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:15,560
But sometimes, things go wrong.
4
00:00:15,590 --> 00:00:18,810
And when they're deemed untreatable,
people turn to us.
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Because we take on some of
the world's most difficult cases.
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Patients come from far away
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with the most complex
medical problems in the world.
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And we understand that this is
their only hope.
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The patients we see
will die without our help.
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And to save their lives,
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we have to push the limits
of what is surgically possible.
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We get only one chance
to get these cuts right.
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If it goes wrong,
it can do patients terrible harm.
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Ooh. Oh. We've got a hole
under the vein.
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OK, hold it there.
Hold it in. Hold it. Quick, please!
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In the worst circumstances,
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it could even mean not making
it off the operating table.
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You have to make sure that
the risk is justified by
19
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the opportunity to cure them.
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It's a lot of pressure on you
as a...as a doctor.
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I sometimes have sleepless nights.
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The stakes are tremendous.
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So, you try your utmost to save
every life coming your way,
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because you realise
how fragile life is.
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This program me contains
discussion of life and death stories
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and scenes of surgery that some
viewers may find distressing
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So, it started two months ago,
28
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when I had an operation
to remove a fibroid.
29
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Lots of women get these in the womb.
They are quite common.
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This is it.
That's 20 centimetres in diameter.
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And I was like, "Wow, that's huge!"
32
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I think it felt like being pregnant.
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Big, all the time. And my clothes
obviously wouldn't fit.
34
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You know, my consultant
did give me options, as to, er...
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"Mel, would you just like to have
the fibroid taken out,
36
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"or a total hysterectomy?"
37
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And I thought to myself,
I've always wanted more kids,
38
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so let's just have the fibroid
taken out and that's it.
39
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That's what I opted for.
40
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My surgeon took it out,
41
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and then, he sent it off
to the pathology lab.
42
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Called up, and he says,
43
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unfortunately, they found
a few cancer cells in the fibroid,
44
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and they're worried the cancer cells
might have spread into my womb.
45
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And I was like, "Oh, my God!"
46
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Lots of people ask me,
47
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"Why do you do these long hours
and this stressful job?
48
00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:23,770
It's probably, sort of,
the need to be able to help
49
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and make a difference.
50
00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,360
And what we are able to do
in this hospital
51
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is push the boundaries surgically,
which is amazing.
52
00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,690
So here we see Mel's CT scan
53
00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,180
before her fibroid was removed.
54
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And this round structure
is the fibroid.
55
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It was as big as a grapefruit.
56
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When Mel's fibre was removed,
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they sent it to the lab,
and they found sarcoma cells.
58
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Sarcoma in a fibroid is very rare.
59
00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:10,690
Only five in a million women
will have sarcoma.
60
00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:15,100
But the problem is that sarcoma
is an aggressive cancer,
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and individual cancer cells
are too small to see on a scan.
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00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:23,930
So, we don't know if it has
already spread to the womb.
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00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:27,900
In order to give Mel
the best chance of survival,
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we need to remove her whole
reproductive system.
65
00:04:35,930 --> 00:04:39,650
I feel very responsible
for my patients.
66
00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:45,770
When you're diagnosed with cancer,
which is a massive event,
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and then suddenly, someone says,
68
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"We will need to take
your ovaries and uterus,
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00:04:50,370 --> 00:04:53,850
"and you will not be able
to conceive"...
70
00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,490
that's...that's a massive news.
It's horrible.
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00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,900
And it's...it's really,
really difficult
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00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,850
to tell patients this is probably
the only way to cure them.
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Can I call you Mel or Melissa?
74
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Anything. You can call me Mel,
that's fine.
75
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OK. Mel, do you have children?
Yes. I have a daughter.
76
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A daughter. How old is she?
She's 11. 11.
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So I can imagine, this has probably
been an enormous shock,
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00:05:17,070 --> 00:05:20,770
because normally we don't think
about cancer cells in fibroids.
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Mm-hm. Um...so the fibroid has been
peeled out.
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00:05:24,790 --> 00:05:28,180
Yes. But of course, it was inside
the wall of the womb,
81
00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:31,060
so it might be that there's
still some cancer cells there. OK.
82
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So, just leaving it like this
83
00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,360
and just follow you up with
imaging wouldn't be safe.
84
00:05:36,390 --> 00:05:37,650
Mm-hm. Yeah?
85
00:05:37,670 --> 00:05:41,090
And that's why, erm...
we have to recommend now
86
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for you to have a hysterectomy.
87
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QUIETLY: OK.
88
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Erm...because of the sarcomatous
element of the fibroid,
89
00:05:48,790 --> 00:05:52,340
we would also recommend
your ovaries to be removed.
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00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:56,690
OK. That, of course,
has a major impact on, you know,
91
00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:58,930
you will be in the menopause. Mm-hm.
92
00:05:59,870 --> 00:06:03,210
Are you OK to talk about
the operation now? Yes.
93
00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:07,650
So what we're going to do
is a total hysterectomy,
94
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but we will use a robot
to help us to make it easier.
95
00:06:11,510 --> 00:06:13,010
OK. Yeah?
96
00:06:13,030 --> 00:06:16,610
We are able to magnify,
we can see everything 3D.
97
00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,980
Post-operatively, you will have
significantly-less pain. OK.
98
00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,340
Your recovery will be quicker.
Mm-hm.
99
00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:25,130
So we will blow up the tummy
with CO2,
100
00:06:25,150 --> 00:06:27,690
and then we will remove your uterus,
101
00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,780
with the ovaries and the tubes,
inside your tummy
102
00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,060
and take it out through
the vagina. OK. Yeah?
103
00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,780
You know, you're losing your womb,
your ovaries.
104
00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,610
It's not easy for women,
especially in your age.
105
00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:44,440
So, we completely understand
that now. Yeah?
106
00:06:52,190 --> 00:06:54,140
Are you all right? I'm sorry.
107
00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:09,930
The concept of, like, not, sort of,
ever having another kid...
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00:07:13,830 --> 00:07:16,930
I just feel, like,
not so great about it. Erm...
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I don't know, it's just...
110
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BIRDSONG
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How would you have reacted
if you were put in that situation?
112
00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,930
Oh, awful! I-I...
113
00:07:35,950 --> 00:07:38,290
You know, my life was destined
to have children.
114
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That's what I always wanted to be.
You know, a mother.
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00:07:41,670 --> 00:07:44,090
|—| don't know. I would be dev...
116
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I would've been devastated. Yeah.
117
00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:52,240
But Melissa is an unusual case
118
00:07:52,270 --> 00:07:54,690
with a very aggressive
type of cancer.
119
00:07:55,910 --> 00:08:00,780
So, we need to do the operation
without spreading any cancer cells,
120
00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,610
which is difficult.
121
00:08:09,590 --> 00:08:12,140
PLAYFUL CHATTER
122
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Erm...shall I get a vase,
and then, do the flowers?
123
00:08:33,270 --> 00:08:35,010
Yeah, yeah...
I'll go and get a vase.
124
00:08:37,110 --> 00:08:42,170
So, when did you first notice
something was a bit awry?
125
00:08:42,190 --> 00:08:43,890
I suppose it must have been
126
00:08:43,910 --> 00:08:46,810
I had a croaky voice
one morning when I woke up.
127
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The GP was very good and referred me
straight to the hospital.
128
00:08:51,270 --> 00:08:53,860
At the beginning, you think,
it's only a sore throat,
129
00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,170
it's only laryngitis.
130
00:08:56,190 --> 00:08:58,220
And then, it goes a bit further,
and you think,
131
00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,780
"Oh, it's not quite
what we were thinking."
132
00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:04,140
And then he says,
133
00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:06,650
"It's definitely cancer."
134
00:09:06,670 --> 00:09:11,010
How many times
has your cancer reoccurred?
135
00:09:11,030 --> 00:09:12,610
Three times.
136
00:09:14,030 --> 00:09:16,650
William and I have been together
for 25 years.
137
00:09:16,670 --> 00:09:18,970
And when you're faced
with the possibility
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that you might actually
139
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not go into the next
10, 20, 25 years,
140
00:09:26,030 --> 00:09:28,730
it completely changes your future.
141
00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:33,170
It's such a small part of him,
this is the thing.
142
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|t's...it's that size.
143
00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:38,340
You know, it's the size of
my thumbnail, if that —
144
00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,690
and yet, it's...
145
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It might as well be everything.
146
00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:49,970
Your local hospital,
what were they offering you?
147
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Complete removal of the voice box.
148
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A full laryngectomy.
149
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We obviously asked
for a second opinion.
150
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So he arranged, very kindly arranged
151
00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:03,360
to see the professor down
at the Marsden.
152
00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:12,940
The voice box is integral
to us as humans.
153
00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,970
It expresses our personality.
154
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So, taking that away is almost like
removing part of a person's being.
155
00:10:21,910 --> 00:10:24,780
And some patients will seek
any mode of cure
156
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to avoid having their voice box out.
157
00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,370
But with recurrent cancer,
there's less chance of cure,
158
00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,140
more chance of complications,
159
00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,320
and more chance of impact on
the patient's quality of life.
160
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So, the stakes are tremendous.
161
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Will's been very unlucky, because
these are rapidly-growing tumours.
162
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On the scan here, we can see
that Will's cancer involves
163
00:10:57,630 --> 00:11:02,320
the entire length of the vocal cord
on the right-hand side.
164
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And if left long enough,
it will grow sufficiently
165
00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:08,660
to obstruct Will's
breathing passage,
166
00:11:08,680 --> 00:11:11,090
and it will threaten Will's life.
167
00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,220
For cancer of the voice box,
168
00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,860
a conventional operation is
to do a total laryngectomy,
169
00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:22,300
where the entire voice box
is removed.
170
00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:31,780
But there is something I hope I can
do for Will, which is rarely done.
171
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Which side are you...? This side.
172
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That's the one we've had
the luck on, anyway.
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And if we can do that successfully,
we can save his voice and his life.
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WILL COUGHS
175
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just breathe naturally.
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There's the tumour there.
177
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You can see both sides are mobile.
178
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OK, I'm happy.
Yeah, he can come out.
179
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Well done.
180
00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:01,780
Thank you. You did very well.
181
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So, that was really useful.
182
00:12:05,070 --> 00:12:07,050
Your cancer is about there.
183
00:12:07,070 --> 00:12:10,860
When we do a laryngectomy
in the conventional way,
184
00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,140
we take the entire voice box out.
185
00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,410
And that means people can't speak.
186
00:12:16,430 --> 00:12:17,940
Yes. OK?
187
00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:21,890
But in your case,
what we think we can do
188
00:12:21,910 --> 00:12:25,300
is to remove just part of
the voice box.
189
00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:27,610
So, that's...?
A partial laryngectomy?
190
00:12:27,630 --> 00:12:28,610
Yes, correct.
191
00:12:28,630 --> 00:12:31,780
,So we'll take away the cancer,
192
00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,490
take away some elements of
the voice box,
193
00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:38,570
but leave behind two key cartilages.
194
00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,490
We can use those cartilages
and use the nerve supply
195
00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,970
and the muscle to make sound.
196
00:12:43,990 --> 00:12:47,180
So, does that mean my voice
will be my own voice? Yes.
197
00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,020
Your voice won't be as good as
it is now, but you'll have
198
00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:51,450
a pretty reasonable voice.
199
00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:54,220
But there's no way of
sugar-coating this.
200
00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,690
Your swallow will take
a pretty long time to recover.
201
00:12:57,710 --> 00:13:00,100
We're talking six months
before you get to a stage
202
00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,370
where you can manage your
food on your own.
203
00:13:09,990 --> 00:13:13,410
A partial laryngectomy
sounds like a lesser operation,
204
00:13:13,430 --> 00:13:16,610
but ironically, it's a much
more complex operation.
205
00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,940
As a surgeon,
it's a massive challenge.
206
00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:25,240
And I'm invested heavily in
getting this right for Will.
207
00:13:30,790 --> 00:13:33,970
It's got to work for me,
and the family.
208
00:13:41,630 --> 00:13:43,070
INCOMING CALL
209
00:13:43,090 --> 00:13:46,350
Good morning, you're through
to Macmillan Cancer Support.
210
00:13:46,380 --> 00:13:49,000
When was it you were diagnosed?
211
00:14:01,580 --> 00:14:03,840
Uh-huh. I'm sure it is.
I'm sure it is.
212
00:14:04,990 --> 00:14:07,670
We can have a chat through
your situation with you.
213
00:14:10,500 --> 00:14:13,510
Cancer can arrive
without any warning.
214
00:14:13,530 --> 00:14:17,040
But how it affects each patient
can be very different.
215
00:14:18,500 --> 00:14:19,870
INCOMING CALL
216
00:14:43,940 --> 00:14:46,760
The operation is very real
and very looming.
217
00:14:48,610 --> 00:14:51,200
And, yeah, that's quite frightening.
218
00:14:56,420 --> 00:15:00,800
You can pretend that
this isn't really happening,
219
00:15:00,820 --> 00:15:03,970
and then, suddenly,
it slam—dunks you.
220
00:15:03,990 --> 00:15:07,510
It's like the conveyor belt, isn't
it, going towards the...the big...
221
00:15:07,530 --> 00:15:10,350
...teeth, really.
222
00:15:10,380 --> 00:15:12,640
There's an inevitability to it.
223
00:15:15,710 --> 00:15:17,640
We're going to do
something about it. Yeah.
224
00:15:17,660 --> 00:15:19,200
Doing nothing isn't an option.
225
00:15:21,020 --> 00:15:22,970
SHE CHUCKLES
226
00:15:40,660 --> 00:15:41,840
Yes, very.
227
00:15:45,300 --> 00:15:48,330
So, what we're going to offer Will
is a partial laryngectomy,
228
00:15:48,350 --> 00:15:51,200
as opposed to a total laryngectomy.
229
00:15:51,220 --> 00:15:55,640
But a partial laryngectomy is a
more difficult procedure to perform,
230
00:15:55,660 --> 00:15:57,410
and precision is key.
231
00:16:00,250 --> 00:16:05,430
When you're doing something that is
not your day-to-day procedure,
232
00:16:05,460 --> 00:16:07,520
you have that rush of adrenaline.
233
00:16:07,540 --> 00:16:10,800
I probably have the maximum
experience in the country for this,
234
00:16:10,820 --> 00:16:15,160
but I'm anxious that I give Will
235
00:16:15,180 --> 00:16:18,520
the best outcome
we can possibly give him.
236
00:16:20,180 --> 00:16:22,950
So, he's got two young children,
and I'm thinking
237
00:16:22,970 --> 00:16:26,350
what I do will ensure
how well he communicates
238
00:16:26,380 --> 00:16:28,680
with this family for the
rest of his life.
239
00:16:28,710 --> 00:16:30,130
But that's what drives us.
240
00:16:30,150 --> 00:16:31,350
MACHINES BEEP STEADILY
241
00:16:33,970 --> 00:16:35,800
So, we're making
the skin incision now.
242
00:16:39,790 --> 00:16:44,130
So my first job is to open
the throat and expose the voice box.
243
00:16:46,730 --> 00:16:48,070
So that's the voice box.
244
00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:51,280
This is the Adam's apple.
245
00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:53,590
And the vocal cords
are underneath that,
246
00:16:53,610 --> 00:16:56,250
which is where the cancer's growing.
247
00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:58,700
I now need to cut
around the voice box,
248
00:16:58,730 --> 00:17:01,500
so that I can remove
the vocal cords,
249
00:17:01,530 --> 00:17:05,870
but without damaging
any of the nerves or muscles
250
00:17:05,890 --> 00:17:07,570
that are used for swallowing.
251
00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,070
Because if these nerves are damaged,
252
00:17:10,090 --> 00:17:13,820
Will will never be able to
speak and swallow,
253
00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:16,150
and he may drown
in his own secretions.
254
00:17:18,450 --> 00:17:22,790
I have to systematically find the
nerves and preserve them.
255
00:17:22,810 --> 00:17:24,370
And these are very small nerves.
256
00:17:26,070 --> 00:17:28,320
DeBakey to me, thanks.
257
00:17:28,350 --> 00:17:29,790
We're going to enter it here.
258
00:17:31,530 --> 00:17:33,820
So, this is an important nerve here.
259
00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:38,540
This nerve goes in to supply
sensation to the voice box.
260
00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:41,020
So, don't cause any bleeding
underneath it.
261
00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,180
That's it. Excellent, excellent.
262
00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,050
Excellent. Beautifully done.
263
00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:52,620
We've now cut around the voice box
and mobilised it on both sides,
264
00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:54,430
so we can now lift it up
265
00:17:54,450 --> 00:17:56,740
to see the vocal cords underneath.
266
00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:01,940
So, there's my vocal cord.
267
00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:03,580
I'm going to cut through that.
268
00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:09,540
The cartilage behind it is
needed to help to speak
269
00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:11,300
and breathe and swallow.
270
00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,950
And that's why we fight to save
that cartilage.
271
00:18:16,810 --> 00:18:19,450
So, we done it all on one side,
272
00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:21,740
so now I'm going to fracture
the voice box.
273
00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,980
I need to see more clearly
where to cut around the tumour,
274
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,820
and to get better access to it.
275
00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,500
The crack along the Adam's apple
276
00:18:32,530 --> 00:18:34,770
is more precise when done
with the fingers.
277
00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:38,620
You'll hear a crack.
278
00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:40,060
OK.
279
00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,330
So sorry about this, voice box.
280
00:18:42,360 --> 00:18:43,700
CRACK!
281
00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:45,250
GROANING
282
00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,100
OK, that's cracked wide open now,
283
00:18:48,120 --> 00:18:52,410
and I can see the cancer
ever so well now.
284
00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:00,820
Now I can cut out
the cancerous section
285
00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,500
with just the right margin
of healthy tissue.
286
00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:07,370
So, let's cut here, then.
287
00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:12,500
SUCTION
288
00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:24,870
That's lovely. Look at it!
It's beautiful.
289
00:19:26,890 --> 00:19:30,670
This is the voice box. This is the
Adam's apple we see from the front.
290
00:19:30,690 --> 00:19:33,120
And if we turn this around...
291
00:19:34,250 --> 00:19:36,250
...that is the cancer,
292
00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:40,310
and the tumour extends
all the way across.
293
00:19:40,330 --> 00:19:42,980
So, the lining is healthy,
it's nice and smooth.
294
00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:47,330
But when it's cancer,
it's irregular and it's bumpy.
295
00:19:47,360 --> 00:19:49,120
And that's all the cancer tissue.
296
00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,540
So that's a nice, clean,
happy resection.
297
00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:56,820
For the last stage of the operation,
298
00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:58,870
to reconstruct
the section we've removed,
299
00:19:58,890 --> 00:20:01,580
we're going to pull up
the windpipe to close the gap
300
00:20:01,610 --> 00:20:03,870
and reconnect his throat.
301
00:20:03,890 --> 00:20:05,450
I'm going to put three sutures,
302
00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,060
and that's all that holds
the entire voice box together.
303
00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:17,700
If it's a complex case,
things can go wrong easily.
304
00:20:19,250 --> 00:20:22,780
And, er...| doubt what
I do all the time.
305
00:20:25,610 --> 00:20:27,820
BELLS PEAL
306
00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,750
Come on, William! Come on, William!
307
00:20:33,770 --> 00:20:36,620
Ladies, gentlemen,
on behalf of my wife and I...
308
00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:38,900
CHEERING
309
00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:40,310
APPLAUSE AND WHISTLING
310
00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:45,620
When I first met him,
he just had a nice,
311
00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:48,900
very masculine, deep voice.
312
00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:51,310
For a big man, he's very gentle.
313
00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:59,060
He's always made me laugh.
314
00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:00,900
Those little throwaway comments,
315
00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,180
and it would have me crying
with laughter.
316
00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:07,380
That's it...
317
00:21:07,410 --> 00:21:10,110
I don't know, it's been so long
since I've heard it.
318
00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:17,820
MACHINES BEEP STEADILY
319
00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:20,060
Pass me that, er...big suture.
320
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:30,330
We're sewing these two fragile
sections of windpipe together
321
00:21:30,360 --> 00:21:32,110
and hoping it will hold.
322
00:21:33,770 --> 00:21:38,130
If the join fails, we'll have
to resort to a full laryngectomy.
323
00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:41,250
There are no second chances,
no other options.
324
00:21:43,850 --> 00:21:45,620
OK, we're going to tighten them.
325
00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,060
It's really important
to get this right.
326
00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:50,580
Let's tie the side ones first.
327
00:21:51,610 --> 00:21:54,500
Yeah. So, we pull this up.
328
00:21:57,970 --> 00:21:59,620
OK, please hand-tie it.
329
00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,780
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
330
00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:06,750
Right, are we...are we good?
Are we good?
331
00:22:06,770 --> 00:22:09,030
Did it definitely knot? Lift a bit.
332
00:22:09,050 --> 00:22:10,210
Yeah, I think it did.
333
00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,940
You want to start again?
You want to tighten that again?
334
00:22:16,130 --> 00:22:17,460
Come together.
335
00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:19,900
Careful. Yeah.
336
00:22:21,770 --> 00:22:24,420
OK...releasing gently. Coming away.
337
00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:29,060
Good. OK.
338
00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:30,500
Yeah. That's excellent.
339
00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,030
Perfect. That looks good.
340
00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:39,030
So, the voice box has been
put back together.
341
00:22:39,050 --> 00:22:43,030
From now on, his voice is going
to be quite harsh and breathy.
342
00:22:43,050 --> 00:22:46,250
What voice he gets six weeks,
12 weeks down the line
343
00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:47,940
will be what he will have for life.
344
00:22:58,360 --> 00:23:00,700
Hello, Bebe. Hello, gorgeous.
345
00:23:02,570 --> 00:23:05,550
It's much easier to burn
ÂŁ10 notes than to keep horses,
346
00:23:05,570 --> 00:23:07,860
but horses are much more
satisfying emotionally.
347
00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,110
Come on. Come on, Bebe.
348
00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:12,940
There you go.
They are lovely things.
349
00:23:20,930 --> 00:23:27,330
My first encounter with cancer
was actually way back when I was 23,
350
00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:31,670
and I was diagnosed with
a testicular tumour.
351
00:23:33,130 --> 00:23:35,130
That didn't stop me being a man.
352
00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,500
Er...it didn't stop me doing
things I wanted to do.
353
00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:40,030
It stopped me having children,
which is a great loss.
354
00:23:41,490 --> 00:23:45,110
But who I am grew out of
all that experience.
355
00:23:45,130 --> 00:23:48,190
I've had 45 years,
and I'm very grateful.
356
00:23:48,210 --> 00:23:50,860
But if there's a chance to grab
some more of it, I will.
357
00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:53,550
So, erm...|'m not going
to give up yet.
358
00:24:00,210 --> 00:24:04,660
This thing is called
a retroperitoneal liposarcoma.
359
00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:07,860
A fatty soft tissue tumour.
360
00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:10,420
When I first started noticing it,
it was kind of about
361
00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:12,780
the size of a book here,
sitting on...
362
00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:15,060
And it's gradually spread.
363
00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:17,380
So, it now stretches from here.
364
00:24:17,410 --> 00:24:20,420
It's basically...basically
the size of a rugby ball.
365
00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,060
They did a biopsy and decided it is
366
00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:27,380
this particular sort of cancer.
367
00:24:27,410 --> 00:24:30,700
Erm...the team said, basically,
we can't do anything,
368
00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:32,990
and concluded
that it was untreatable.
369
00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:39,030
And so, we were basically into
palliative care. Erm...
370
00:24:39,050 --> 00:24:41,500
The Macmillan nurse
was very quick to say,
371
00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:44,830
you must talk to Marsden, cos they
have some expertise in this area.
372
00:24:50,930 --> 00:24:54,910
As a surgeon, sarcomas are
a really fascinating job.
373
00:24:54,930 --> 00:24:56,910
It's very much an umbrella term
374
00:24:56,930 --> 00:24:58,830
for lots of different types
of cancers.
375
00:25:00,130 --> 00:25:03,380
It can affect either the bone
or the soft tissue,
376
00:25:03,410 --> 00:25:05,130
and is very, very rare.
377
00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,010
If you look at the UK,
in a whole year,
378
00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:11,260
there will only be 3,500 cases.
379
00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:15,210
So it's a very privileged
position to be in,
380
00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:18,780
to be able to help a patient
with a rare, complex problem.
381
00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,750
Ian's cancer is a very large tumour
382
00:25:25,770 --> 00:25:28,070
in the back of his tummy.
383
00:25:28,090 --> 00:25:30,110
It involves several organs.
384
00:25:30,130 --> 00:25:33,130
So, below the under surface
of the liver, and the right kidney
385
00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:35,660
is completely encased by the tumour.
386
00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:39,260
It has only one curative treatment,
and that is surgery,
387
00:25:39,290 --> 00:25:42,190
where you have to remove
the whole of the tumour,
388
00:25:42,210 --> 00:25:44,420
as well as the organs involved.
389
00:25:46,210 --> 00:25:48,740
That is quite an undertaking.
390
00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,260
So, we need to be very careful,
391
00:25:51,290 --> 00:25:54,070
so that we don't risk
the patient's life.
392
00:25:57,760 --> 00:26:00,860
Morning. Good morning, sir.
How are you? I'm well. Good.
393
00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,190
As well as can be expected.
394
00:26:03,210 --> 00:26:07,070
So, Ian, I think we can
help you with this.
395
00:26:07,090 --> 00:26:12,790
But it is a complex and
very major surgery. Right.
396
00:26:12,810 --> 00:26:16,500
The aim is to remove the whole
of the tumour and the organs
397
00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:18,830
that is adherent to this tumour.
398
00:26:18,850 --> 00:26:22,340
And that will most certainly
be the kidney and probably the bowel
399
00:26:22,370 --> 00:26:24,380
on the right—hand side.
400
00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,090
I think we're doing the right thing.
401
00:26:26,120 --> 00:26:29,710
But all this is based
on the judgment of the scans,
402
00:26:29,730 --> 00:26:32,710
which are very, very helpful
and accurate. Yes, yes.
403
00:26:32,730 --> 00:26:35,830
But we are sometimes surprised
at the surgery. Yes.
404
00:26:35,850 --> 00:26:38,090
And we find that it is not possible
405
00:26:38,120 --> 00:26:40,430
to remove the whole of the tumour
406
00:26:40,450 --> 00:26:43,990
because of important things
it's grown into.
407
00:26:44,010 --> 00:26:47,260
And then, we have to make a very
difficult decision at the surgery,
408
00:26:47,290 --> 00:26:49,580
whether we proceed or not.
409
00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,380
OK. You're giving me
a potential future.
410
00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,070
I'm quite happy with that.
411
00:26:55,090 --> 00:26:56,550
We're going to try our best.
412
00:26:56,570 --> 00:26:59,430
That's all I can ask. you do your
best job, and I'll be happy.
413
00:27:03,090 --> 00:27:06,740
If we do not do anything about it,
it'll get bigger,
414
00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:09,210
and patients will
usually die of organ failure.
415
00:27:10,960 --> 00:27:13,300
You have to make sure that
when you put someone
416
00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:16,660
through a major operation,
where we're going to remove organs
417
00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:19,860
and expose them to significant risk,
418
00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:21,710
that the risk is justified
419
00:27:21,730 --> 00:27:24,990
by the opportunity to cure them
from the cancer.
420
00:27:26,210 --> 00:27:28,910
It's quite risky, but I would think
421
00:27:28,930 --> 00:27:32,430
he has a chance to be cured
from this disease.
422
00:27:32,450 --> 00:27:35,380
So, I think that's...
it's the right decision.
423
00:27:39,360 --> 00:27:42,420
My daughter, she said a little
prayer for me,
424
00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:46,980
and she asked, "God, please,
Mummy should have safe surgery,
425
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:48,750
"and that she comes
back home to us."
426
00:27:54,130 --> 00:27:55,130
Bye, mummy-
427
00:27:59,490 --> 00:28:00,670
I trust in God.
428
00:28:03,410 --> 00:28:07,700
But sometimes things don't go
the way you plan it to.
429
00:28:11,410 --> 00:28:13,630
When we see these patients...
430
00:28:14,770 --> 00:28:19,230
...we completely understand
that they're frightened.
431
00:28:19,250 --> 00:28:22,340
We understand that this is maybe
their only hope.
432
00:28:22,360 --> 00:28:23,910
OK, do you want to come in?
433
00:28:23,930 --> 00:28:28,300
Hello, are you ready? Hello, hello,
welcome, welcome, welcome. Hi.
434
00:28:28,330 --> 00:28:30,340
They're coming to us because they...
435
00:28:30,360 --> 00:28:32,590
...they hope that we can solve it.
436
00:28:34,410 --> 00:28:36,240
And for us, it's daunting.
437
00:28:37,330 --> 00:28:38,590
It's difficult.
438
00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:46,030
Melissa is an unusual case
439
00:28:46,050 --> 00:28:49,990
because her fibroid
has sarcoma cancer cells,
440
00:28:50,010 --> 00:28:54,670
which is a very rare and a very
aggressive type of cancer.
441
00:28:54,690 --> 00:28:58,500
So, I now need to remove
all her reproductive organs
442
00:28:58,520 --> 00:29:00,830
to save her life.
443
00:29:00,850 --> 00:29:03,380
Because she's had
a previous operation,
444
00:29:03,410 --> 00:29:07,880
we know that scar tissue can
develop, which makes it difficult
445
00:29:07,900 --> 00:29:12,380
to remove these reproductive organs
without spreading cancer cells.
446
00:29:12,410 --> 00:29:13,990
And this is what we want to avoid.
447
00:29:16,290 --> 00:29:18,600
So we've got a five-millimetre
scope, laparoscope?
448
00:29:18,620 --> 00:29:20,880
Yes. Yes. Perfect.
449
00:29:20,900 --> 00:29:23,110
Knife to skin. Thank you.
450
00:29:30,370 --> 00:29:31,780
Gas on, please.
451
00:29:34,770 --> 00:29:37,260
The first thing we do is inflate
452
00:29:37,290 --> 00:29:40,050
the abdomen with carbon dioxide.
453
00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:44,470
What we can see is this will blow
up as a balloon.
454
00:29:44,490 --> 00:29:46,780
This will let us see the organs
more clearly
455
00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:48,670
and gives us more room to work.
456
00:29:52,010 --> 00:29:55,960
Now for the cords that will
attach to the robots.
457
00:29:55,980 --> 00:29:59,260
I like to think
of them as spider arms.
458
00:29:59,290 --> 00:30:01,500
Each has a different function.
459
00:30:02,490 --> 00:30:07,110
To grasp, to cut, and a 3D camera.
460
00:30:07,130 --> 00:30:09,350
Can I have the camera, please?
461
00:30:14,490 --> 00:30:18,960
OK, can we have head down
and the gas on to 12?
462
00:30:23,260 --> 00:30:24,910
Let me have a look here.
463
00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:29,350
So, you can see the uterus is here.
464
00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:35,680
And we see that
a fibroid was removed
465
00:30:35,700 --> 00:30:38,550
from this bit of the uterus.
466
00:30:41,340 --> 00:30:45,040
Marie, if you could just move
the uterus up and down.
467
00:30:46,410 --> 00:30:47,750
It's a little bit stuck here.
468
00:30:50,060 --> 00:30:55,220
It seems like bowel is actually
stuck to her uterus,
469
00:30:55,240 --> 00:30:56,680
and that's not good.
470
00:30:58,340 --> 00:31:00,550
I didn't expect this to happen.
471
00:31:02,010 --> 00:31:05,680
This could just be scar tissue,
but the worry is that it's actually
472
00:31:05,700 --> 00:31:08,910
cancer spreading from her uterus
to the bowel.
473
00:31:17,810 --> 00:31:20,060
I love you!
474
00:31:20,090 --> 00:31:23,500
I love you! Have a nice day.
475
00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,630
I will miss you. I will come soon.
476
00:31:30,010 --> 00:31:33,990
With Zoe, it wasn't planned,
let's put it that way.
477
00:31:34,010 --> 00:31:36,580
But she's the best thing in my life.
478
00:31:38,850 --> 00:31:40,790
That feeling of being needed,
479
00:31:40,810 --> 00:31:43,310
I think that's the biggest thing,
you know?
480
00:31:43,340 --> 00:31:46,930
And of looking after
another human being,
481
00:31:46,960 --> 00:31:50,350
nurturing them,
making them better people.
482
00:31:51,730 --> 00:31:55,430
But over the years,
I feel I've done pretty well
483
00:31:55,450 --> 00:31:58,140
for her, because she's
turned out amazing.
484
00:32:05,700 --> 00:32:07,040
Laparo LIP-
485
00:32:07,060 --> 00:32:10,040
We'll do a Pfannenstiel incision.
486
00:32:10,060 --> 00:32:12,760
We'll just give her lots
of local, yeah? Right.
487
00:32:15,290 --> 00:32:17,790
The uterus is stuck to bowel.
488
00:32:17,810 --> 00:32:21,140
This could mean
that there is more cancer.
489
00:32:21,170 --> 00:32:25,510
So, we have to abandon the robot
and do this by hand.
490
00:32:25,530 --> 00:32:27,120
That was not the plan.
491
00:32:27,140 --> 00:32:30,710
But you can't anticipate
everything.
492
00:32:30,730 --> 00:32:31,910
OK, knife to skin again.
493
00:32:33,370 --> 00:32:36,140
We need to make sure we remove it
494
00:32:36,170 --> 00:32:39,300
in a safe way, without spreading it.
495
00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:45,760
Otherwise, you change her prognosis
from good to significantly worse.
496
00:32:49,250 --> 00:32:51,510
So, here it is.
497
00:32:51,530 --> 00:32:54,550
This is where the disease is, yeah?
498
00:32:54,570 --> 00:32:55,550
Yeah.
499
00:32:56,810 --> 00:33:00,230
We need to make sure
we do this safely.
500
00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:03,840
Let's have a look. This is bowel.
501
00:33:05,290 --> 00:33:07,590
This is all uterus.
502
00:33:07,610 --> 00:33:11,430
I need to run my fingers
along the adhesions
503
00:33:11,450 --> 00:33:16,120
between the bowel and the uterus
to feel for disease and find areas
504
00:33:16,140 --> 00:33:18,870
I can separate safely.
505
00:33:18,890 --> 00:33:20,390
This is stuck.
506
00:33:20,420 --> 00:33:22,870
So, can I have Mclndoe scissors,
please?
507
00:33:25,140 --> 00:33:27,010
Yeah. Just go through here.
508
00:33:29,010 --> 00:33:30,140
It's just very stuck.
509
00:33:33,860 --> 00:33:35,480
There's a loop of bowel, there.
510
00:33:35,500 --> 00:33:38,760
OK, I just need to pick it up,
and we just do it gently.
511
00:33:38,780 --> 00:33:41,310
We must avoid cutting into the organ
512
00:33:41,330 --> 00:33:42,990
and risk spreading cancer cells.
513
00:33:44,780 --> 00:33:47,060
So, you know, you can't
do this robotically
514
00:33:47,090 --> 00:33:48,350
and you're just tearing it apart.
515
00:33:48,370 --> 00:33:50,710
You don't have a clue what
you're doing. Look at this.
516
00:33:50,730 --> 00:33:52,990
Then it will start bleeding,
and then... Yeah.
517
00:33:54,530 --> 00:33:57,590
Yeah? OK. Let's do a
little bit more.
518
00:34:00,090 --> 00:34:02,350
It's just one final push as we cut
519
00:34:02,370 --> 00:34:04,230
around the last few structures
520
00:34:04,250 --> 00:34:05,790
to get the uterus out.
521
00:34:07,810 --> 00:34:09,190
Join the dots.
522
00:34:12,040 --> 00:34:13,870
This is a really big step.
523
00:34:17,250 --> 00:34:20,140
So we're just going to release it
now from the vagina.
524
00:34:28,810 --> 00:34:30,350
The uterus is out now.
525
00:34:35,890 --> 00:34:38,270
This is her cervix.
526
00:34:38,300 --> 00:34:41,590
So this was attached to the vagina.
527
00:34:41,610 --> 00:34:44,510
The vagina is normally here.
528
00:34:44,530 --> 00:34:47,430
And this is one big muscle,
529
00:34:47,450 --> 00:34:51,790
and it can stretch to have
a full-term baby in.
530
00:34:51,810 --> 00:34:53,670
It's just amazing.
531
00:34:53,690 --> 00:34:57,430
So, on both sides,
you've got tubes and the ovary.
532
00:34:58,970 --> 00:35:03,040
So, what you can see
is there is something here.
533
00:35:03,070 --> 00:35:06,140
And this is where
she had her fibroid removed.
534
00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:09,080
So, that's in the back
of the uterus.
535
00:35:09,110 --> 00:35:11,010
And you can see, there's...
536
00:35:11,030 --> 00:35:12,690
This was attached to it.
537
00:35:12,710 --> 00:35:14,960
This is what we call omentum,
538
00:35:14,990 --> 00:35:17,580
which is a fatty curtain hanging
539
00:35:17,600 --> 00:35:20,210
in everybody's abdomen.
540
00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:24,610
And why we have released this
and not just taken it off here
541
00:35:24,630 --> 00:35:28,080
is because we want to know
if there is any breakthrough
542
00:35:28,110 --> 00:35:30,140
of cancer cells.
543
00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:33,020
The pathologists will
be able to tell us.
544
00:35:37,320 --> 00:35:38,690
PHONE RINGS
545
00:35:38,710 --> 00:35:41,580
Hello. You're speaking with
Macmillan. How can I help?
546
00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:43,250
I've always had in the back of my
head the feeling that at some point,
547
00:36:43,270 --> 00:36:45,740
cancer is going to come knocking
on the door again.
548
00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:49,960
After you, my lovely. OK.
549
00:36:49,990 --> 00:36:52,810
I just want to get on with it
and get to the point where somebody
550
00:36:52,830 --> 00:36:54,210
can bring me a cup of tea.
551
00:36:54,240 --> 00:36:56,940
Hello, again. Hello.
Can you spin yourself around?
552
00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:02,770
The plan today is to completely
remove this vast cancer
553
00:37:02,790 --> 00:37:05,040
from Ian's abdomen.
554
00:37:05,070 --> 00:37:07,380
The tumour is enormous,
555
00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:10,380
and it's already encased
some of his organs.
556
00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:14,250
So, we have to remove
this with the tumour.
557
00:37:14,270 --> 00:37:17,960
This will be a significant
insult to his body,
558
00:37:17,990 --> 00:37:21,770
and there's a high risk of
causing catastrophic bleeding
559
00:37:21,790 --> 00:37:24,130
from the major blood vessels
behind the tumour.
560
00:37:30,070 --> 00:37:33,770
Enormous tumours
are quite a challenge.
561
00:37:33,790 --> 00:37:36,490
There always will be a
huge responsibility
562
00:37:36,510 --> 00:37:38,770
on the surgeon's shoulders.
563
00:37:38,790 --> 00:37:41,940
So, the focus in your mind is just,
564
00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:45,570
you've got to make sure you do
the best for this patient.
565
00:37:45,590 --> 00:37:47,960
Their life's in your hands.
566
00:37:47,990 --> 00:37:50,380
You happy for us to start?
Yes, please.
567
00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:51,460
Here we go.
568
00:37:58,960 --> 00:38:03,490
The first step is to get to
the tumour without cutting into it.
569
00:38:03,510 --> 00:38:06,250
We don't want to spill any
cancer cells.
570
00:38:06,270 --> 00:38:09,460
Currently, everything is contained
within the tumour capsule.
571
00:38:12,870 --> 00:38:17,380
Good. So this is the tumour here,
under my hand,
572
00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:18,740
this big lump here.
573
00:38:21,270 --> 00:38:22,820
This is the large bowel,
574
00:38:22,840 --> 00:38:25,540
and it's completely stuck
onto the tumour.
575
00:38:25,560 --> 00:38:27,840
We won't be able to separate that.
576
00:38:27,870 --> 00:38:31,330
It's going to have to
come out with the tumour.
577
00:38:31,350 --> 00:38:33,740
The kidney is somewhere in here,
in the middle.
578
00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:36,330
I can maybe just feel it there.
579
00:38:36,350 --> 00:38:40,380
These vessels that feed it
just disappear into the cancer.
580
00:38:40,400 --> 00:38:42,290
That will have to go.
581
00:38:42,310 --> 00:38:45,900
But he has a normal kidney
on the other side, which is fine.
582
00:38:45,920 --> 00:38:48,290
You can survive with one kidney.
583
00:38:48,310 --> 00:38:51,090
I think we should start
with the bowel.
584
00:38:51,120 --> 00:38:54,410
So, we're going to divide
the colon now.
585
00:38:54,430 --> 00:38:56,170
We're going to cut through the bowel
586
00:38:56,200 --> 00:38:59,040
where it starts and ends
on each side of the tumour.
587
00:38:59,070 --> 00:39:01,380
I think we're going to have
quite a bit of trouble,
588
00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:02,820
because this is where it goes in.
589
00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:04,900
But we'll have to see.
590
00:39:04,920 --> 00:39:07,490
We have to be really careful
not to damage any healthy bowel
591
00:39:07,510 --> 00:39:09,770
that he needs.
592
00:39:09,790 --> 00:39:12,090
Induja, a stapler.
593
00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:13,820
I think just divide it through here.
594
00:39:16,350 --> 00:39:18,040
OK, thank you.
595
00:39:19,230 --> 00:39:20,490
So, right at the back,
596
00:39:20,510 --> 00:39:23,090
we're starting now to see
the big blood vessels.
597
00:39:23,120 --> 00:39:25,920
I think this is the left renal,
here.
598
00:39:25,950 --> 00:39:28,460
It's a blood vessel going off
towards the kidney,
599
00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:31,660
but it needs to come
with the tumour.
600
00:39:31,680 --> 00:39:34,410
As long as we divide the blood
vessels, then the whole kidney
601
00:39:34,430 --> 00:39:37,130
will come with the specimen.
602
00:39:37,150 --> 00:39:38,820
Let's cut through them carefully.
603
00:39:38,840 --> 00:39:40,690
The blood pressure is
quite high here.
604
00:39:45,990 --> 00:39:47,210
Bleeding here.
605
00:39:49,310 --> 00:39:50,620
Stitch ready?
606
00:39:56,480 --> 00:39:59,130
Erm, give me the smaller needle. OK.
607
00:39:59,150 --> 00:40:01,770
We should be able to see,
as long as we keep a view. Yeah.
608
00:40:04,950 --> 00:40:08,090
Surgery always has inherent risk,
609
00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:09,770
and sometimes things do go wrong.
610
00:40:11,590 --> 00:40:13,330
You've got the end.
You just take the end.
611
00:40:13,350 --> 00:40:15,090
Just, just the end. Give me...
612
00:40:15,120 --> 00:40:16,970
Let it go. Yeah.
613
00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:20,090
You have decide what is the best
way to stop the bleeding.
614
00:40:22,150 --> 00:40:24,460
Erm, get a stitch, please.
615
00:40:27,070 --> 00:40:29,620
Even a small injury
can cause catastrophic,
616
00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:31,490
life—threatening bleeding.
617
00:40:31,510 --> 00:40:33,770
It can be very difficult
and challenging.
618
00:40:35,510 --> 00:40:39,250
It would be great if everything
in surgery always goes well,
619
00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:40,920
but it does sometimes go wrong.
620
00:40:40,950 --> 00:40:43,420
Get a 4-0 prolene suture...
621
00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:45,740
Although inside, you may panic,
622
00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:48,820
you have to be able
to control the bleeding.
623
00:40:50,080 --> 00:40:52,490
That's got it, I think. That's good.
624
00:40:53,720 --> 00:40:55,290
Yeah, it's under control. Yeah.
625
00:40:57,000 --> 00:40:59,250
OK. A bit of a breather.
626
00:40:59,280 --> 00:41:01,540
Well done. Good.
627
00:41:01,560 --> 00:41:03,250
We're making progress.
628
00:41:03,280 --> 00:41:06,700
The kidney is divided from
the main blood supply it receives,
629
00:41:06,720 --> 00:41:08,120
so the kidney's free.
630
00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:12,620
So, just the last bit of the tumour
631
00:41:12,640 --> 00:41:14,980
right at the top, top, top, top.
632
00:41:18,480 --> 00:41:21,780
We're there, we're done.
That's good.
633
00:41:21,800 --> 00:41:23,540
Have we got a table, guys?
634
00:41:23,560 --> 00:41:25,250
The table behind, there.
635
00:41:32,840 --> 00:41:35,820
This is basically
the whole of the tumour.
636
00:41:35,840 --> 00:41:40,540
Just for reference, this is a little
ruler that's 15 centimetres long.
637
00:41:40,560 --> 00:41:43,290
The one issue is our normal
theatre scales
638
00:41:43,310 --> 00:41:45,740
only measures up to 2—3kg.
639
00:41:45,760 --> 00:41:50,100
So we've got to put it on
a human weighing scales.
640
00:41:50,120 --> 00:41:52,540
Good. Let's see.
641
00:41:52,560 --> 00:41:55,170
It weighs 7.5 kgs.
642
00:42:04,720 --> 00:42:08,290
It's always a worry, especially when
patients get turned down elsewhere
643
00:42:08,310 --> 00:42:11,650
for surgery, whether your judgment
is accurate in whether
644
00:42:11,670 --> 00:42:13,980
the tumour's actually resectable.
645
00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:16,570
So, it's a great relief
when it is actually possible
646
00:42:16,590 --> 00:42:19,000
to remove it completely.
647
00:42:19,030 --> 00:42:21,500
And it all went well,
so I'm very happy.
648
00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:53,370
Our role is to come up with ways
of taking cancer out,
649
00:42:53,390 --> 00:42:58,170
while allowing the patient to enjoy
near-complete quality of life.
650
00:42:58,200 --> 00:43:01,220
For Will, that has meant
a long recovery
651
00:43:01,240 --> 00:43:03,500
and learning to swallow
all over again.
652
00:43:11,880 --> 00:43:13,220
HE COUGHS
653
00:43:17,360 --> 00:43:20,340
But I am constantly amazed
by the resilience
654
00:43:20,360 --> 00:43:22,900
and the determination
of the patients we see.
655
00:43:52,720 --> 00:43:57,250
For Mel, luckily,
there was no residual disease,
656
00:43:57,280 --> 00:43:59,930
so her prognosis is extremely good
657
00:43:59,960 --> 00:44:03,900
and we've given her
that positive news.
658
00:44:06,210 --> 00:44:10,130
One of the reasons why I keep doing
this job is because of patients
659
00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:12,450
like Mel, where you think,
660
00:44:12,470 --> 00:44:16,220
OK, well, hopefully,
it was good what we did. Yeah.
661
00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:26,130
It just feels like a weight
has been lifted, and I feel,
662
00:44:26,160 --> 00:44:27,420
like, a free spirit, you know,
663
00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:30,550
like I can sort of now go off and
do whatever I want to do,
664
00:44:30,570 --> 00:44:32,860
not be afraid about anything.
665
00:44:32,880 --> 00:44:36,700
It's a happy ending, which...
I'm thrilled.
666
00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:37,980
It's just amazing.
667
00:44:42,440 --> 00:44:44,980
The scans and the blood tests
so far say I'm clear
668
00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:46,660
as far as the cancer is concerned.
669
00:44:48,470 --> 00:44:51,300
I've got my strength back.
Most things I can do.
670
00:44:51,320 --> 00:44:54,300
So, if I needed to move a bale
or whatever, I could do it.
671
00:44:56,320 --> 00:44:57,780
But I couldn't do half a dozen.
672
00:44:59,600 --> 00:45:00,800
Come on, you, walk up.
673
00:45:00,830 --> 00:45:04,730
We start off as doctors
with the goal to help people.
674
00:45:04,750 --> 00:45:08,170
So when things go well for patients,
it makes you proud of what
675
00:45:08,190 --> 00:45:09,800
you've been able to do for them.
676
00:45:19,650 --> 00:45:22,780
I want to go back in time and start
retraining as a cancer surgeon
677
00:45:22,800 --> 00:45:27,420
today, which would be just amazing
because in 20, 30 years' time,
678
00:45:27,440 --> 00:45:30,930
the cancer cells in the future
will be completely unrecognisable.
679
00:45:33,240 --> 00:45:36,380
There is so much
development happening
680
00:45:36,400 --> 00:45:38,660
about different techniques,
681
00:45:38,680 --> 00:45:40,880
different robotic platforms.
682
00:45:42,830 --> 00:45:46,170
That's one of the amazing things
about this hospital.
683
00:45:48,520 --> 00:45:50,340
It's not just the treatment
of the patients,
684
00:45:50,360 --> 00:45:52,260
but it's also the support.
685
00:45:52,290 --> 00:45:54,630
How do we make things better
for the future,
686
00:45:54,650 --> 00:45:56,880
and how do we learn more
about each cancer?
687
00:45:59,190 --> 00:46:03,530
It's a fascinating future
we have ahead for cancer surgery
688
00:46:03,550 --> 00:46:05,300
and for cancer treatment in general,
689
00:46:05,320 --> 00:46:07,910
because we're understanding
cancer so much better.
690
00:46:32,240 --> 00:46:35,420
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