A two-year-old boy from north London has become a symbol of medical hope after overcoming cancer with the help of innovative Nanoknife technology. George, a young child from Camden, is now cancer-free following his groundbreaking treatment at King’s College Hospital.
In the summer of 2023, George was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare form of soft tissue cancer that affected his liver and bile duct. The devastating news left his family reeling. “I will never forget that moment,” shared his father, Jonathan. “It felt like my entire world had collapsed.”
The Fight Against Cancer
George underwent three rounds of chemotherapy, but it was the Nanoknife technology—a cutting-edge, experimental treatment—that marked a turning point in his journey. The technology, which uses electrical currents to precisely destroy cancerous tissue, provided a new avenue of hope.
According to Dr. Sam Godfrey, science engagement lead at Cancer Research UK, Nanoknife allows surgeons to achieve better margins of clearance around tumors, enabling a more effective removal of cancer. The procedure required King’s College Hospital to secure a special license, as it had never been used for such a young patient. George became the youngest person globally to undergo this procedure and the first child in the UK to receive Nanoknife treatment for liver cancer.
Successful Surgery
The operation, performed through the NHS, was a success. Surgeons managed to completely remove the tumor, ensuring clear margins around the affected area of George’s liver. “This was the news we had been hoping and praying for,” Jonathan said.
He expressed gratitude for the advanced technology and the persistence of the medical team. “From the day George was diagnosed, all we did was push and push to get him the treatment he needed. We loved that the Nanoknife was something new and ground-breaking, and we felt we had some input into making it happen.”
Eighteen months after the surgery, George is cancer-free and enjoying life as a vibrant young boy. He began nursery school in September, a milestone his family once feared he might not reach.
George’s courageous journey has not gone unnoticed. He was honored with the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award in recognition of his resilience and bravery during treatment.
