‘Smart’ drug helps cancer doctors detect brain tumours

A father of two has undergone life-saving surgery with the help of a new drug which highlights tumour cells in the brain.

Ian Hartley became the first patient in London to take the pill when doctors at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust removed his tumour last month.

The drug, Gliolan, is dissolved in water and drunk three hours before surgery. Cancerous cells are targeted by the chemical and show up bright pink under a light. King's is one of only two UK hospitals to provide the treatment.

Mr Hartley, 60, of Paddock Wood in Kent, was admitted after scans at his local hospital. He said: "I experienced mood swings for six months. My wife kept saying something wasn't quite right."

The car plant worker is now looking forward to his son Neil's wedding in December.

His neurosurgeon Keyoumars Ashkan said: "The fact that patients can now help their surgeon by simply taking a small drug — with no major side-effects — is a big step forward. As a result, we can be more confident when differentiating between cancerous and normal brain tissue."

Gliolan was the result of research by King's Health Partners' Academic Health Sciences Centre, a collaboration between King's College London, Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.