Hospital cancer work wins award

The unit is based at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

A Norfolk hospital department has won an international honour for its work testing a new hi-tech imaging system which helps the treatment of cancer.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been using a cone-beam CT image system - which allows the pinpointing of the exact location of the tumour.

The year's trial of it has been praised by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO).

At a meeting of ASTRO in the US the hospital was presented with the award.

Jenny Tomes, head of radiotherapy at the Norfolk and Norwich, said: "The cone-beam CT imaging capability helps doctors pinpoint the exact location of the tumour.

"It is especially useful when the tumour is far from any bony landmarks, and hard to distinguish from surrounding soft tissues."

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's Colney Centre treats 2,200 new patients a year.