Minimally invasive robotic surgery: “the recovery time is unbelievable”

Royal Marsden patient, Steve, is back to being cancer-free after a 12-hour surgery with the da Vinci Xi robot. Now, he is part of the RECUT Plus research trial for head and neck cancers.

12 June

Royal Marsden patient, Steve. He has short, grey hair and is wearing a dark grey suit jacket, with a pale shirt, brooch and colourful-striped tie. — Royal Marsden patient, Steve.

“I have had throat cancer twice. The first time was in 2013. At first it seemed like I had food stuck in my throat. But I had a biopsy, and then a few weeks later I was told I had stage 2 throat cancer. It was a big shock to the system!”

After undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy at his local hospital in Kent, Steve was given the all clear. But five years later, his cancer came back and he was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer. He was told he couldn’t have any more treatment, but surgery could be an option, and he was referred to The Royal Marsden for robotic surgery under the care of Professor Vinidh Paleri, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon.

Innovative robotic surgery at The Royal Marsden

“I had surgery using the da Vinci Xi robot which is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. They cut my neck on the side and took the cancer out of the throat that way. The surgery ended up being 12 hours. They then took skin from my right arm and groin to build my throat. It is quite intense stuff!”

Professor Vinidh Paleri in blue scrubs and a Royal Marsden lanyard around his neck — Professor Vinidh Paleri with the da Vinci Xi robot

“I was recovering in hospital for three or four weeks. I couldn’t eat or drink. I had a hole in my neck for a tube to talk and breathe through. I also had a tube down my nose into my stomach to be fed.”

...my recovery with his surgery was a lot quicker. That is the greatest thing about it. The recovery time is unbelievable.

“From leaving hospital to having tubes out, my recovery time was three months or so. With the chemo and radiotherapy, it was about a year to get back to normality. Although it was so intense, my recovery with his surgery was a lot quicker. That is the greatest thing about it. The recovery time is unbelievable.”

“Then I went back every three weeks or so. They sent me for an MRI scan, and when the results came back, I was told everything had been successful. It felt absolutely fantastic. I now have check-ups every six months and have a scan every now and then as well. It is a relief to be told there is no reoccurrence.”

Steve is now taking part in the RECUT Plus study which is investigating why certain head and neck cancers are resistant to radiotherapy.

Taking part in the RECUT Plus research trial

“Having the opportunity to join the RECUT Plus trial was a no brainer for me. It’s so important to be involved in research and to know that this will be helping patients like me in the future.”

What is the RECUT Plus study?

RECUT Plus is a study investigating why certain head and neck cancers are resistant to radiotherapy. The study will compare samples taken before radiotherapy with samples taken from cancers which have recurred. RECUT Plus has recruited 30 patients so far, one of the largest ever achieved for this type of study. Promisingly, early data has already shown molecular differences between recurrences and non-recurrences.

This study follows the RECUT study. Both studies are supported by the International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer (IReC), thanks to funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

“It’s brilliant that research into head and neck cancers like mine is being supported by funding from the Charity" says Stephen. "Without this funding and without this research, things cannot improve. It’s the only way for us to move forwards."

The Royal Marsden “saved my life”

“There is nothing I can’t do. I do lots of bike rides and exercise. I feel absolutely fine.”

“The Royal Marsden is a fantastic hospital. The staff are absolutely fantastic. If it wasn’t for Professor Paleri and his team, things would be very different for me. I’m so grateful to them and to The Royal Marsden for everything they’ve done for me. They’ve saved my life.”

Will you support us today?

Thanks to generous donations to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, we are able to fund the latest equipment – like the da Vinci Xi robot that was used for Steve’s life-saving surgery.

Find out more about ways you can support us today. 