Full Breakdown
Whole Genome Sequencing Guides Treatment for Eye Tumour, Preserving Vision
6/18/2026, 11:07:00 AM
Genomic Test Determines Benign Meningioma, Avoids Complex Surgery
In early 2023, Laraine Chung, a 63-year-old carer from Peterborough, discovered a tumour behind her left eye. Initial imaging could not classify the growth, and surgeons warned that removal might require an extensive operation with potential impact on her brain, facial structures, and vision. Chung subsequently underwent Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The genomic analysis identified the lesion as a benign meningioma, allowing clinicians to plan a less invasive excision that preserved the eye and avoided the higher-risk procedure originally anticipated.
Background: Whole Genome Sequencing in Cancer Diagnosis
WGS examines the complete DNA sequence of a patient’s cells. By detecting genetic alterations, the technique can distinguish tumour subtypes, reveal underlying causes, and highlight molecular targets for therapy. In oncology, the approach is increasingly used to refine diagnoses that imaging alone cannot resolve, thereby informing surgical and medical treatment choices.
Key Figures: Laraine Chung and Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Laraine Chung is a long-term carer and grandmother of four who resides in Peterborough, England. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Cambridge, operates a genomic medicine service that performed the WGS analysis leading to Chung’s revised diagnosis.
Patient Profile and Test Capabilities
- Age and role: 63-year-old carer, grandmother of four.
- Location of tumour: Posterior to the left eye.
- Initial clinical uncertainty: Imaging could not determine tumour type, raising the prospect of complex cranio-facial surgery.
- Genomic test outcome: WGS classified the growth as a benign meningioma, a tumour type that typically requires limited resection.
- Technical scope of WGS: Analyzes the entire genome to identify cancer-related mutations and other genetic disease markers, enabling precise diagnostic categorisation.
Why It Matters: Implications for Cancer Care
Chung’s case illustrates how genomic profiling can alter clinical pathways, reducing the need for extensive surgery and associated morbidity. By providing a definitive molecular diagnosis, WGS can streamline treatment planning, shorten recovery times, and preserve organ function. The example supports broader integration of genomic testing within the NHS to improve outcomes for patients facing ambiguous tumour diagnoses.
On-the-Ground Report: Patient Experience
Chung described a prolonged period of anxiety while awaiting the sequencing results. The eventual report clarified the nature of the tumour, allowing her medical team to avoid the originally proposed high-risk operation. She reported relief for herself and her family upon learning that the eye would be saved and that recovery would be less demanding.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Without the test, I would have needed much more complex surgery, and it would have taken even more time to recover,” — Laraine Chung, patient
- “Getting the genetic results made everything clear.” — Laraine Chung, patient
- “Getting the genetic results made everything clear. It was a long, anxious wait for the results but it was a huge relief for me and my family when they rang to say they knew what it was and that I wouldn't lose my eye.” — Laraine Chung, patient
