New cancer treatment

The alternative to the treatment is removal of the oesophagus

A new treatment to stop a certain type of cancer developing is being pioneered by a surgeon in Gloucestershire.

Medication is given to people with cancer of the gullet, which makes the cancerous cells sensitive to light.

They can then be destroyed without the need to have a major operation.

Gloucester is the main centre of four in the UK to carry out this procedure.

The surgeon involved, Professor Hugh Barr, said: "The light floods in to the area of the oesophagus, where it kills the unpleasant cells.

"In fact the death will occur a few hours later and the patient will heal soon afterwards."

The only alternative to the treatment would be to remove the oesophagus, a technically-difficult operation which carries a 10% risk of death.

If it is shown to be effective, it is expected that the treatment will be adopted more widely.