Prince Philip Hospital first in Wales to offer innovative cancer diagnostic procedure
13 May 2026
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Prince Philip Hospital has become the first centre in Wales to introduce an innovative cancer diagnosis technique. For patients, the introduction of CryoEBUS is expected to shorten diagnostic pathways, contributing to more timely and targeted care.
Cryobiopsy Endobronchial Ultrasound (CryoEBUS) - uses endobronchial ultrasound guidance and special biopsy needles, along with a freezing technique, to collect lymph node tissue and sometimes tissue from lung masses.
Using this combination helps doctors get larger, better‑preserved samples, which makes them easier to examine and more accurate for diagnosis. This is becoming increasingly important with the molecular testing now being performed to guide newer treatments in lung cancer.
The needles are used to support precise targeting and therefore crucial in ensuring a smooth CryoEBUS procedure by allowing two sampling techniques to be incorporated into one streamlined procedure.
The approach enhances clinicians’ ability to diagnose complex respiratory conditions, including lymphoproliferative and granulomatous diseases, where sample size and preservation are critical for accurate analysis.
CryoEBUS was introduced in November 2025 and establishes Prince Philip Hospital as the first and currently only centre in Wales offering this procedure as part of its diagnostic pathway.
The first procedures were performed by Dr Robin Ghosal, Clinical Director at Prince Philip Hospital and Consultant Respiratory Physician, in collaboration with Dr Jonathan Fisher‑Black, Consultant Respiratory Physician, and the hospital’s Endoscopy team.
Dr Ghosal has completed specialised CryoEBUS training, positioning the team to deliver this new service within existing bronchoscopy and EBUS pathways.
“It’s a very new technology which is gaining momentum and Prince Philip Hospital is the first in Wales to use it and one of only a handful in the whole of the UK,” said Dr Ghosal.
“The improved diagnostic capability offered by CryoEBUS is a real step forward for patients within Hywel Dda and clinical teams at Prince Philip Hospital. It allows us to obtain significantly improved tissue samples while remaining minimally invasive,” said Dr Ghosal. “This has important implications for diagnostic confidence, particularly in complex lymph node pathology and supports more efficient progression to treatment decisions.”
“The procedure, which is performed under conscious sedation, integrates an innovative technique into established bronchoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound workflows, offering an advanced less invasive option that can reduce the need for repeat procedures and support earlier treatment planning for more complex cases.”
The adoption of CryoEBUS at Prince Philip Hospital reflects the continued evolution of respiratory diagnostics across NHS services and reaffirms the hospital’s commitment to innovation that improves outcomes for patients in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
Hywel Dda’s Medical Director Mr Mark Henwood said: “We are always looking at innovative ways to improve the care we give our patients. I’m very proud that Prince Philip Hospital is leading the way in which we diagnose respiratory diseases.
“This just goes to show that you don’t have to live in a big city to have access to the most pioneering and effective health care. Congratulations to Robin and his team for all the hard work and training they have put in to bring the CryoEBUS testing to west Wales.”