New UHNM-developed app could rule out throat cancer quicker for thousands of patients

Thousands of patients will receive the all-clear for throat cancer faster, thanks to a mobile app developed and trialled at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).

The Endoscope-i app can turn a mobile phone or tablet into a portable diagnostic device used by nurses to detect throat cancer.

The device captures live endoscopy examinations of the throat, which can then be instantly shared with specialist head and neck consultants via a secure data cloud. A consultant then reviews the video footage and can rapidly detect any traces of cancer reporting this back directly to the patient.

The diagnostic device can be used in any NHS setting, helping to free up time and resources in hospitals for cancer patients and reducing wait times for treatment.

In the future it could be used in upcoming diagnostic centres and in community settings, meaning people can get tested closer to home and reducing the need for patients to go to hospital.

An initial trial on triaged low-risk patients at UHNM found that no cancers were missed using this device with patients receiving their results within 23 hours of the test taking place.

It also reduced the average number of consultants needed to manage urgent referrals for suspected throat cancer from 10 to three.

Mr Ajith George, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at UHNM, said: “The new pathway has given the rapid cancer referral service the radical change it has long needed. These types of referrals are increasing exponentially whilst cancer diagnosis rates are not. Streamlining services helps keeps the focus on those unfortunate patients who get a cancer diagnosis.”

So far over 1,800 patients at UHNM have been reassured they do not have a cancer of the throat within just a few days. This means patients can go home sooner with reassurance that they have the all-clear, while surgeons can focus their resources on the smaller numbers who have a confirmed cancer diagnosis. 

Nina Glazzard, Advanced Clinical Practitioner for Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) said: “Endoscope-i is a great resource allowing nurses like me to do more extended roles, freeing up consultant time to see more urgent cases, Patients get results quicker, get seen quicker, and get treated quicker. We’ve found it helps us to streamline the way that we treat patients within the ENT department, helping to provide a higher quality of care.

“Patients love it, they now have very quick appointments, and consultants review images quickly and get back to them directly. They are impressed with the pace and feel reassured straight away, rather than waiting weeks for results.”

Kyle Jones credits the new pathway with saving his life following a diagnosis of aggressive form of vocal cord cancer last June.

Kyle needed to have his voice box removed to prevent the cancer spreading further and can now only speak with the help of a speech valve. 

The 31-year-old from Stafford, who was seen at UHNM within 20 days of his GP’s referral said: “My first appointment was with a nurse using the Endocscope-i. I remember everything being very detailed, and the team was able to show me pictures and video from the inside of my throat. After my diagnosis, the original plan was a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, however after a following CT scan, I was told that as the cancer had spread, there was no other option than surgery and there was no saving my voice box.”

“It was crazy, a big shock to us all, but the care at UHNM has been amazing, I can’t fault anybody. I’ve had multiple stays and clinics, and even when I had my laryngectomy and I was breathing out of my neck and couldn’t talk, the staff were so comforting and accommodating.

“I worked in retail, went to lots of gigs and festivals, and did a lot of gaming, all which used my voice. For the first seven months I couldn’t eat or drink anything, I was tube fed into my stomach. I haven’t quite been able to return to work yet, but thanks to the help and encouragement of the team I’ve been able to return to gigs and festivals. As I’m massively into my music, throughout my treatment I kept saying, “get me back to the festivals next year”, that was my goal. I still need regular check-ups, but to see my friends, have some drinks and food has been really good.”

Kyle’s Sister, Holly Jones, said: “When we first heard about Kyle’s diagnosis it was a massive thing. There was a point during the second surgery when we thought we wouldn’t hear him speak again. It was so upsetting to think my daughter won’t be able to hear her uncle.

“But hearing him speak now with the help of his valve is amazing, I can still hear his original voice. I can’t explain how much we appreciate the care and support given by UHNM. They treated him as a person not a patient. If they didn’t have that piece of equipment, and he wasn’t diagnosed when he was, I don’t know where we would have been”

Kyle said: “I love the app, it’s essentially saved my life. It’s really important that we embrace new technology like this because when time is essential, anything that can speed up a diagnosis helps.” 

The technology is set to now be rolled out across the West Midlands Cancer Alliance with further expansion expected soon.