This multi-disciplinary unit focuses on the management of, and research involving, patients with testicular, prostate, bladder and renal cancers. Urological surgery is based in London and the associated specialised ward also coordinates stoma care. The chemotherapy of testicular and bladder cancers is undertaken predominantly in Surrey with clinical research data coordinated by the Bob Champion Cancer Trust Research Unit.
The problems of urological tumours are extremely diverse. For example, although uncommon, testicular cancers are the most frequent malignancy occurring in young adult males and are increasing in incidence. They are, however, a model for chemo-sensitive cancer and the majority of men are cured. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in more elderly men. Progressive advanced disease is often associated with widespread incurable bone metastases.
Over the last decade The Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden teams have developed an extensive portfolio of clinical and laboratory research in urological cancers. The national importance of prostate cancer has been reflected in the development of the NHS Prostate Cancer Programme and the establishment of two national Centres of Excellence for prostate cancer research.
As a result of our previous track record and current research proposals, The Institute and Royal Marsden teams were invited to form the core of one of these with colleagues from Brunel and Liverpool Universities. This Cancer Collaborative, led by Professor Colin Cooper, has won major support from the Cancer Research Funders’ Forum to develop a five year programme in translational research including:
- molecular pathology of prostate cancer
- novel therapies for prostate cancer
- aetiology of prostate cancer.
The Male Urological Cancer Research Centre provides a focus for these activities.
da Vinci S robot
The Royal Marsden is now the proud owner of one of the most technologically advanced surgical systems in the world – the da Vinci S robot.
This pioneering piece of equipment is modernising the way the hospital carries out minimally invasive surgery. The state-of-the-art da Vinci uses robotic arms to carry out keyhole surgery, resulting in faster recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients.
Its main job is to perform prostatectomies.
The Royal Marsden’s surgical team can now use the robot’s extended vision, higher magnification and 3D imagery to give them even greater precision in their work.
Staff
Head of UnitMr A C Thompson BSc MBBS FRCS (Urol)
ConsultantsMr T J Christmas MD FRCS
Professor D P Dearnaley MA MD FRCP FRCR
Dr R A Eeles MBBS PhD FRCP FRCR
Professor C Fisher MD FRCPath
Professor M E Gore PhD FRCP
Professor A Horwich PhD FRCP FRCR
Dr R A Huddart MBBS MRCP FRCR
Dr V Khoo MBBS FRACR FRCR MD
DR J Larkin MA MRCP PhD
Mr C Ogden MBBS MS FRCSEd FRCSEng FRCSUrol FEBU
Dr C C Parker BA MD MRCP FRCR
Dr L Pickering
C R J Woodhouse MBBS FRCS FEBU