Oesophagus cancer – launch of ‘game-changer’ sponge checks

A new pill containing a sponge that can detect early signs of oesophageal cancer is being trialled in a mobile unit operating from GP surgeries.

The cytosponge, which is being heralded as a “game-changer” and developed at the University of Cambridge, collects cells which are tested at a laboratory.

It is hoped the test will reduce waiting times for patients which usually require an endoscopy in hospital.

Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald from Cambridge University, who specialises in cancer prevention, said the cytosponge “can diagnose cancer of the oesophagus really early”, adding that it could detect a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s Oesophagus.

She went on to say “Usually you would have to go to the hospital and get an endoscopy, with all that entails, and our idea was could you make something that was so simple you could go to a mobile unit or GP surgery.

“The simplicity is the absolute key of this – we know the power of diagnosis is in the cells you collect.”

She added that the pandemic had meant that “some endoscopy has been completely on hold so you might have to wait months”.

About the new procedure, Professor Fitzgerald explained “You swallow the capsule on a string with water and it will go down to the top of the stomach.

“The capsule will dissolve in five to seven minutes, and as it dissolves out pops a sponge which has been compressed in that capsule.

“The nurse simply pulls the sponge out with the string and it will collect about a million cells on its way out. We put that sponge into a preservative, send it to the laboratory where it is tested to see whether there are Barrett cells or not and whether the cells look like they are turning to pre-cancer.

“Then we can let the patient know and if there is anything to worry about, they can have an endoscopy and treatment.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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