A teenager has become the first cancer patient in Britain to have a metal port fitted to his head so doctors can blast drugs directly at his brain tumour . James Willetts , 17 , had the titanium socket - which was created by a 3D printer - bolted to his skull after traditional treatments failed to halt his aggressive brain tumour . A 'plug ' is screwed into the port which allows chemotherapy drugs to be pumped into the tumour along four hair-thin catheters with pinpoint accuracy . James Willetts has now become the first British cancer sufferer to have be fitted with a 'skull socket ' The 17-year-old had the titanium socket - which was created by a 3D printer - bolted to his skull after traditional treatments failed to halt his aggressive brain tumour . James is one of only three cancer sufferers in the world to receive the risky treatment , called 'convection-enhanced delivery ' ( CEH ) , which has not even reached stage one trials . 'The first thing that I thought was that I was going to be like Robocop , ' he said . 'But I actually do n't really notice it . ' I can feel it when they connect it but once it has connected it is fine . It does n't hurt . 'When they screw it in I can here a scrapping noise inside my head . ' James , of Taunton , Somerset , was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in January 2014 after complaining of migraines and stress . James underwent a 12 hour operation at Frenchay Hospital in Bristrol in February to remove the tennis-ball sized tumour , leaving him with short-term memory loss and restricted use of the left side of his body . A 'plug ' is screwed into the port which allows chemotherapy drugs to be pumped into the tumour along four hair-thin catheters with pinpoint accuracy . He underwent a 12 hour operation at Frenchay Hospital in Bristrol in February to remove the tennis-ball sized tumour , leaving him with short-term memory loss and restricted use of the left side of his body . Although most of the tumour was cut out , it was attached to his thalamus in the centre of his brain and some could n't be removed safely . Following the operation , he began oral chemotherapy , radiotherapy and was enrolled on a stage 2 drug test called Avastin from a French pharmaceutical company . But none of the treatments worked and the tumour began to regrow , leaving the family with few choices . Fortunately for the teen , he was then selected to take part in the CEH trials carried out by neurosurgeon Professor Steven Gill at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children . A 3D titanium port was fitted to James ' head at Southmead Hospital , Bristol , in late October with treatment beginning in November . He undergoes treatment for several hours over two days , after which he is discharged for six weeks before receiving another dose . The teen , pictured after the operation , is one of only three cancer sufferers in the world to receive the risky treatment , called 'convection-enhanced delivery ' ( CEH ) , which has not even reached stage one trials . James ' father Simon does not blame the NHS for not funding the treatment . James has now received three doses of the chemotherapy - classed as one 'cycle ' of treatment - and will have a scan at the end of March to reveal how he has responded . The concept has been around for nearly a decade but can be dangerous and so had never been used to treat cancer and or had even reached stage one trials . As a result the NHS would not provide funding and the £36,000 cost of James ' treatment so far has been privately donated . James 's family has now set up the Brain Power Trust , to help pay for his future treatment or that of others and have currently raised £8,000 . His father Simon Willetts , 52 , said : 'His experience has given him a gift he can share - when you get through it , you 've got a unique story to inspire others . ' 'He 's got a great sense of humour and everyone says he 's incredible , ' added his father , a salon owner . 'He 's got strengths that I do n't know where they come from . 'He 's teaching me all the time and his inner strength and spiritual calm have helped us all develop some qualities it takes a lifetime to learn . ' People can donate via www.jwbrainpower.co.uk .
James ##son , jack , was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2014 . He has now become the first British cancer victim to have a ' skull socket ' James has a small titanium skull created by a 3D device bolted to his head . The risky surgery allows chemo drugs to be blasted directly at tumour .