A decade-long research project on skull base surgery is set to improve the lives of cancer patients, with groundbreaking findings soon to be shared across Europe. Abdul Nassimizadeh, a consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, has spent years studying the impact of new surgical techniques on the outcomes of cancer patients undergoing complex procedures on the base of the skull.
The study, which was conducted as part of Nassimizadeh’s PhD at the University of Groiningen in the Netherlands, is now complete. His research will be disseminated widely across the UK and Europe, thanks to a grant from the head and neck cancer charity, Get A-Head.
Nassimizadeh’s findings focus on improving the safety and effectiveness of surgery on sinonasal tumours, which often require surgery in the delicate region of the skull base. These surgeries are highly complex and can carry significant risks for patients. However, new surgical techniques, which were explored in Nassimizadeh’s study, promise to reduce complications and improve overall patient outcomes.
The research will not only contribute to better clinical outcomes for individual patients but also has broader implications for the healthcare system. Fewer complications, reduced hospital stays, and improved long-term recovery are among the hoped-for benefits of the study. By reducing the risks associated with these surgeries, the research aims to lessen the need for follow-up treatments and outpatient visits, ultimately easing the burden on healthcare services.
Abdul Nassimizadeh, who is also a locum rhinology consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said that successful implementation of these new techniques hinges on robust research. “The successful defence of my PhD thesis allows information to be disseminated locally, nationally, and internationally,” he explained. “This is vital in incorporating newer technologies that can improve patient outcomes.”
The research, which has been supported by Get A-Head, a charity founded in Birmingham, has also received financial backing to help with the costs of printing and distributing Nassimizadeh’s thesis. The charity, which has been supporting head and neck cancer patients since 1984, has invested heavily in research and education. Get A-Head director Danni Heath highlighted the importance of sharing such vital research with the medical community.
“Defending a PhD thesis is a crucial step in making research available to professionals, and we’re delighted that Get A-Head could help Abdul achieve this milestone,” said Heath. “Skull base surgery is inherently risky, and anything we can learn to reduce those risks will be of immense benefit to patients.”
In addition to supporting vital research, Get A-Head also provides life-changing equipment, which is not available through the NHS, and funds complementary therapies to help manage the side effects of cancer treatment. The charity has raised over £10 million since its inception and continues to raise funds for research and patient support services.
This latest milestone marks an important step in the quest for better cancer treatments, offering hope for improved outcomes for future patients. For more information about Get A-Head, visit www.getahead.org.uk