A multimillion-dollar robotic bronchoscope at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has reached its 100-case milestone, enabling Western Australian patients to be diagnosed and treated for lung cancer in a single anaesthetic event — an Australian first.
The device, funded by the WA Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, helps clinicians more accurately diagnose small cancer nodules in the peripheral lung. Previously, multiple diagnostic procedures were often required to investigate suspicious high-risk nodules.
The robot’s navigational precision allows clinicians to place a glowing marker, or dye, that guides the lung surgical team at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to locate and remove cancer nodules — meaning patients can have diagnosis and curative treatment delivered together on the same day.
Pairing with CyberKnife and opening up clinical trials
The robot-guided technology also enables the placement of fiducial markers used to guide the CyberKnife, a high-precision radiotherapy device that delivers high doses of radiation to lung tumours while minimising damage to surrounding tissue.
Suitable Western Australian patients are now also able to access an international clinical trial evaluating a novel tracer injected directly into the tumour to enhance lung cancer treatment outcomes — a study otherwise unavailable in the State.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia and is responsible for almost one in five cancer deaths. It is often diagnosed late, as many people do not notice symptoms until the disease is advanced.
“This Western Australian-first program has already benefited the lives of 100 people, and I congratulate and thank all those involved at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for driving the vision and delivering leading-edge patient outcomes,” Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said.
“It’s innovation like this that showcases the amazing and pioneering work being undertaken in WA, supported by the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. The Cook Government is focused on driving WA to lead the nation in medical research, pushing WA forward as a national leader in medical research and innovation excellence that has real-world impact.”
