When Craig, a 51-year-old from Glossop in Derbyshire, was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer, which had spread from a previous ocular melanoma (eye cancer) diagnosis, he was advised that there were no treatment options available to him. Rather than accept the ‘wait and see’ approach he was offered, Craig took control of his own health, exploring alternative options which led him to HCA Healthcare UK The Christie Private Care, where he received pioneering chemosaturation therapy.

An unexpected diagnosis

“It all started with a routine eye appointment. Because I work as a chemical engineer at the university of Manchester I need to wear safety glasses, and mine are prescription. In December 2020, I went for a routine appointment to check my prescription, where they suggested I change from bifocal to progressive lenses, which I did. When I started wearing these new glasses, I began experiencing strange sensations, like the stairs feeling as though they were flowing and moving as I walked up and down. I didn’t know if it was a problem with the lenses, or whether I was just taking time to adjust, but it didn’t feel right at all.”

Craig made a follow up appointment in January 2021 to discuss his symptoms. Tests showed a suspected central serous retinopathy – a condition that causes a small pool of fluid in the eye, slightly clouding vision. What followed was months of referrals between different hospitals, but none of them were able to give Craig any clarity. In September 2021 Craig was referred to a hospital in Liverpool, where he received a very unexpected diagnosis.

"To go from thinking I had this central serous retinopathy, to being told I had ocular melanoma, cancer in my left eye, that came as a bit of a shock, well a real shock. You just don't expect it, especially in the eye. It's such a strange place to get cancer, and it’s so rare, I know now that it only affects 5-6 hundred people a year in the UK."

Craig’s tumour was treated with proton beam therapy, “for four days, I received treatment to target the cancer in my eye. Although I knew my vision would deteriorate slightly because the tumour was close to my optic nerve, I was thankful to keep my eye.”

A challenging setback

Because ocular melanoma has a high risk of spreading (metastasising), Craig would need regular monitoring with scans every six months. For two years, these scans showed no further issues. But in October 2023, Craig received the news that the cancer had spread to his liver. 

“Pretty much two years after my initial treatment, I got the news nobody wants to hear, that the cancer had spread. I was keen to know what the next steps would be, what my treatment options were. But my consultant told me there were no treatment options available to me, and there were no clinical trials available, and even if there were, my tumours weren't large enough to qualify. So, he recommended a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, to monitor the cancer. 

Being told 'I'll send you away, and we’ll see how it grows over the next few months’, that just didn't sit right with me. I remember looking at my wife and thinking, 'I can't just sit back and watch this grow inside me’, I needed to take control.”

Craig and his wife decided to investigate other options and their research led to HCA Healthcare UK The Christie Private Care, where they met with Dr Gregory Wilson, Consultant Medical Oncologist, and specialist in chemosaturation therapy. 

Accessing specialised treatment

“Dr Wilson explained that because the cancer was caught early – affecting only about 2-3% of my liver, that I would be eligible for a treatment option called chemosaturation therapy."

Dr Wilson explains, “Chemosaturation therapy is a highly specialised treatment for patients with certain types of cancer that has spread to the liver. The procedure delivers a high concentration of chemotherapy directly to the liver while minimising exposure to the rest of the body. The procedure involves inserting catheters through the groin to isolate the liver's blood supply, delivering the chemotherapy directly where it's needed, and then filtering the blood before it returns to the general circulation.  By 'saturating' the whole liver, both visible and undetected tumours can be targeted.

The Christie Private Care is one of only a few centres in the UK with the expertise and facilities to offer this innovative treatment, providing patients like Craig with access to specialist care that may not be available elsewhere.”

My treatment experience at The Christie Private Care

"I’ve had three treatments in total. One in February, then another in April and October. Dr Pavan Najran, the interventional radiologist who performed all three of my treatments, guided me through each step of the process which really helped me to feel comfortable and confident.

After the first treatment, I was in intensive care overnight and experienced some fatigue and nausea for about a week. I also had bruising where they inserted the catheters in my groin. But with each treatment, the recovery got easier. By the third treatment, I was back in my room the same night and had minimal bruising. After each treatment, work gave me a month off to recover. But by the third treatment, on the second week I was already panelling my hallway, my wife had lots of jobs for me."

Throughout the process, Craig was comforted by the expert care he received from his medical team, “Dr Wilson, Dr Najran, Dr Vidya Kasipandian, my anaesthetist, and all the nurses involved, they not only provided excellent medical care but took the time to explain everything clearly and address all my concerns. The team at The Christie Private Care made the whole experience as smooth as possible, and Dr Najran keeps in touch regarding my ongoing scans and tests, which is really reassuring.”

A pioneering approach

For Craig’s third treatment, Dr Pavan Najran was able to treat Craig via his wrist instead of his groin, a technique which he established at The Christie Private Care, and has multiple patient benefits.

Dr Najran explains, "At The Christie Private Care, we've pioneered an innovative approach to chemosaturation therapy by accessing the liver artery through the wrist rather than the traditional groin approach. I was the first clinician in the UK to develop this technique, which offers significant advantages for patients like Craig. The wrist access method is not only safer as it reduces bleeding risks, but it also enables a much quicker recovery time. We can remove all access tubes immediately in the operating theatre rather than leaving them in place for a longer period. This advancement represents our commitment to continuously improving patient care and outcomes through innovation. As chief investigator for a UK trial on this technique, I'm working to share this approach with other clinicians around the world, potentially benefiting many more cancer patients in the future." 

Looking forward

Following his three chemosaturation therapy treatments Craig’s condition has improved significantly. “The results have been remarkable. My most recent scans show just two very small areas that they are keeping an eye on, but Dr Najran believes they will either remain stable or completely disappear. Both my specialists at The Christie Private Care and my hospital in Liverpool agree on my progress – a reassuring sign that I'm on the right path. And if I do progress Dr Najran says it’s possible to have a fourth chemosaturation therapy, or there are other treatment options available to me. At the minute, it's all looking good. I'm back at work as a chemical engineer and living my normal life, spending time with my stepchildren, wife and grandson.”

Dr Wilson adds, “Craig's case exemplifies the importance of specialised care for rare cancers. His determination to seek additional options, combined with early intervention with chemosaturation therapy, has contributed significantly to his positive outcome. Craig's story represents what's possible with innovative new treatments.”

Craig’s advice for others

“My experience has taught me the importance of being your own advocate when it comes to your health. For anyone facing a similar diagnosis, my message is simple: don't accept that there are no options without exploring every possibility. Finding specialists who offered proactive treatment options changed everything for me.”

The Christie Private Care is one of only a few centres in the UK offering this specialised treatment for patients with certain types of cancer that have spread to the liver. Learn more about chemosaturation therapy: https://www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/services/treatments/chemosaturation-therapy