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Herne Bay grandfather David Payne describes life-changing bladder cancer procedure at Kent and Canterbury Hospital

A grandfather who watched on screen as doctors removed a small tumour from his bladder was home "within an hour" following the groundbreaking surgery.

David Payne was the first patient to undergo the laser procedure at an east Kent hospital and said it was a “perfect” experience.

David Payne had the groundbreaking procedure at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Picture: EKHUFT
David Payne had the groundbreaking procedure at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Picture: EKHUFT

The Herne Bay resident underwent the transurethral laser ablation at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Doctors inserted a thin flexible tube with a camera and light into Mr Payne's urethra before taking biopsies of the tumour and removing it with a laser.

Chemotherapy was then flushed through his bladder to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Carried out using only local anaesthetic, it meant the 67-year-old was awake throughout the treatment and back home just an hour later.

Mr Payne, who has four children and eight grandchildren, had a previous tumour removed under general anaesthetic four years ago, but insists the new method felt revolutionary.

The retired window cleaner said: “I was a little nervous to start with, and worried it wouldn’t be the same procedure so it might not be as effective, but it was exactly the same just without the general anaesthetic.

“I watched it on screen. I could see everything and it was just like watching a documentary. I was even able to direct the consultant to where the tumour was."

The urology team at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Picture: EKHUFT
The urology team at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Picture: EKHUFT

He says the procedure will now allow him to spend more time in his newly-bought campervan.

“It was not painful at all,” he added.

“Having the camera inserted made me jump a bit, as did the snips for the biopsies, but it wouldn’t put me off having it again.

“I was absolutely blown over by the experience and the technology. I took great delight in watching the procedure - it was fascinating.

“I have just bought a campervan and having this procedure means I should have many more years to enjoy using it.”

His tumours were identified during an annual check-up using a camera to see inside his bladder, but his first cancer was diagnosed after he spotted blood in his urine.

Lead consultant Georgios Papadopoulos, who carried out Mr Payne's procedure, said: “This is a major step forward in how we treat patients with small tumours in their bladder.

“By delivering this service in an outpatient setting, we can treat patients more comfortably, safely, and promptly – without compromising on quality of life.”

Meanwhile, urology suite manager Erick Entrata added: “This is another milestone for urology, that means patients can have the procedure done within an hour instead of having to spend all day in hospital.

“It also means we can free up theatre slots for more complex cases, helping to reduce waiting times."

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