Types of cancer
Our Integrated Cancer Campus diagnoses and treats all types of cancer, including cancers of the breast, bowel, lung and prostate.

What is cancer?
Cancer is a condition where abnormal cells grow and spread in an uncontrollable way, anywhere in the body. When detected early, many cancers can be successfully treated using chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other treatments.
At Cromwell Hospital, we treat all types of cancer using the latest medications and technology, from early-stage cases to those that are more complex. Our multidisciplinary team, consisting of oncologists, radiologists, haematologists and many more, creates tailored treatment plans for each patient.
Cancers we treat
We treat a comprehensive range of cancer conditions, with dedicated oncologists available for each specialty, including:
Blood cancer
There are three main types of blood cancer: leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Blood cancer interferes with the production and function of blood cells.
Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, develops from polyps (growths) in your large intestine and rectum.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, affecting around one in eight women.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a type of gynaecological cancer that is usually caused by exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV).
Head and neck cancer
This group of cancers can develop in over 30 different areas within the head and neck. It includes conditions like mouth cancer and salivary gland cancer.
Liver cancer
Primary liver cancer is uncommon – usually cancer spreads to the liver from other parts of the body, known as secondary liver cancer.
Lung cancer
There are two types of lung cancer: non-small cell and small cell. These occur when abnormal cells grow out of control and form a tumour.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the ovaries start to grow and divide, eventually developing into a tumour.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer affects around one in eight men. It develops when the cells in your prostate gland start to divide or grow in an uncontrolled way.
Skin cancer
There are two types of skin cancer: non-melanoma and melanoma. Melanoma requires urgent treatment to prevent it from spreading.
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men. It occurs when tissue found in the testicle becomes malignant (cancerous).
Thyroid cancer
An uncommon type of cancer found in the thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck.
Womb cancer
There are two types of womb cancer: endometrial and uterine. We treat both within our expert-led gynaecology department.
Genetic testing for cancer
Genetic testing is useful for both understanding a patient’s predisposition to cancer and the specific mutation of an existing cancer. Understanding the genetics behind a patient’s cancer can help guide oncologists on deciding what cancer treatment or medicine will work best for that person.
Overseen by our clinical geneticist, our genetic testing service can help identify over 100 different gene variants that may contribute towards the development of certain cancers.
Clinical interests: Thrombosis, leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, stem cell transplantation
Languages spoken: Arabic/English/French
Clinical interests: Lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, thymoma/thymic carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, urothelial carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, penile cancer, cancer genomics and targeted treatment, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, nuclear medicine (Lutetium 177 and Radium 223) treatment for prostate cancer patients.
Languages spoken: Arabic/English
Clinical interests: Lung cancer, oesophageal and gastric cancers, pancreatic, liver and bile duct cancers. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Clinical research.
Languages spoken: Cantonese/English
Clinical interests: Dr Conibear specialises in all the non-surgical treatments for both lung and breast cancers. He has expertise in chemotherapy, biological therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and state of the art radiotherapy techniques. These advanced delivery techniques include deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) for early breast cancer, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) and 4D-CT. Dr Conibear is also trained in using state of the art radiotherapy technologies including the ViewRay MRIdian MRI-guided linac, Accuray Cyberknife and Leksell Icon Gamma Knife. These technologies are used to deliver stereotactic ablative body or brain radiotherapy (SABR / SRS).
Languages spoken: English
Clinical interests: Systemic therapy for cancer including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy; personalised and precision oncology.
Languages spoken: English
Mr Giles Davies
/ Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Surgery
General surgery, Breast surgery
Clinical interests: Breast cancer surgery, breast reconstruction, and aesthetic breast surgery.
Languages spoken: English
Clinical interests: Urological cancer and neuro-oncology.
Languages spoken: English
Clinical interests: Haematological malignancies including lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplasia and leukaemia. Cutaenous T-cell lymphoma. HIV associated haematological complications. Acute leukaemia in elderly patients.
Languages spoken: English
Dr Andrew Gaya
/ Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Clinical oncology, Brain/CNS, Colon, Hepatobiliary, Lower GI, Upper GI
Clinical interests: Gastrointestinal cancers (oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, rectum, anal); stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery (Gamma Knife Icon, CyberKnife, MRIdian MR Linac); chemotherapy, biological therapy, and immunotherapy; molecular and genetic profiling of cancers.
Languages spoken: English
Clinical interests: Gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy including proton therapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).
Languages spoken: Bengali/English/Hindi/Urdu
There are currently more than 200 different types of cancer. Cancers are typed according to where they started within the body. They may also be typed by what cell they started in: carcinoma, sarcoma, leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
In the UK, the most common cancers are breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer. We treat all four of these cancers at Cromwell Hospital, along with many others.
Simple lifestyle changes can help reduce the chances of developing cancer. These include:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
- Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink
- Protecting your skin from sun damage
Our locations


Book a cancer care appointment today
Our telephone lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.
Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone