Man Survives Advanced Kidney Cancer After Early Immunotherapy, Celebrates 20 Years

Quentin Webb, now 66, was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer in October 2006 after months of fatigue and weight loss, receiving a prognosis of eight to twelve months. The tumour, weighing about 1.5 kg, had already metastasised to his lungs and required removal of his left kidney, adrenal gland and portions of his ribs. Helen Webb researched alternatives and secured access to high-dose Interleukin-2, an experimental immunotherapy being pioneered at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.

After the July 2007 treatment, his survival odds rose modestly, and subsequent surgeries removed remaining lung lesions, leading to long-term remission. Despite later developing adrenal cancer in 2015, he now manages Addison’s disease with steroids and remains active in scouting and water sports. The family has also raised £50,000 for The Christie Charity.