Cancer Centre at London’s Bupa Cromwell Hospital: Private cancer treatment in London

Bupa Cromwell Hospital is Britain's leading private hospital - internationally recognised as a Centre of Excellence in the treatment of cancer. Cancer patients visit the Hospital from all over the world, trusting them to deliver the most effective treatments.

Bupa Cromwell Hospital were the first center in the UK to install the revolutionary TomoTherapy Hi Art System and offer IMRT and IGRT as routine for many cancers.

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They offer each patient – adult or child – the most appropriate treatment to enable less radical surgery, better results and a shorter hospital stay.

They understand that this is a difficult time, not only for their patients but also their families. At the Hospital you will find a friendly, safe and comfortable environment, with a full range of specialist clinical support services including counselling, complementary therapies and their Cancer Recovery Programme (PDF).

At Bupa Cromwell Hospital they are developing specialist teams of Doctors who work together in a multi-disciplinary approach to manage often complex cancers such as lymphoma in their Lymphoma Clinic.

Cancer diagnosis at Bupa Cromwell Cancer Centre

This range of diagnostic equipment is vital as more than one type of imaging technique is often needed for proper diagnosis. Diagnostic imaging has now become so complex and specialised that the Bupa Cromwell Cancer Centre has formed a substantial team, including over 25 Consultant Radiologists, who perform and interpret a varied range of examinations and diagnostic techniques.See Diagnostic equipment for information about the range of diagnostic tools available at the Bupa Cromwell Cancer Centre.

PET/CT scanner

The Hospital recently acquired a state-of-the-art PET/CT scanner called the GEMINI™ "time of flight". This unique scanner merges two types of images, allowing doctors to detect cancer and pinpoint its exact location in the body.

As well as detecting cancer at its primary site it is also able to detect if the cancer has spread to bone, liver or lymph nodes close by. Cancer may spread into tissues where it can be seen by PET, but not by CT or MRI scans. For further information please download the PET/CT brochure (PDF).

CT scanner

The Hospital has a 16 slice CT (Computed Tomography) scanner which uses X-rays and computer technology to provide ‘slice’ images of the body. This is particularly useful in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Tumours the size of a grain of rice can be detected which increases the chance of a successful outcome.

MRI scanner

The MRI scanner can be used for cross sectional views of the body. The main advantages of MRI scans are that they do not use X-ray radiation. They can show up soft tissues very clearly and a single scan can produce many pictures from angles all round the body. MRI is particularly effective searching for brain tumours, primary bone tumours, soft tissue sarcomas and for tumours affecting the spinal cord.

Other diagnosis methods:

• Gamma camera: A Gamma Camera detects radioisotopes which are injected intravenously providing functional imaging of the body. It is a highly specialised procedure invaluable for locating secondary tumour sites (metastases) not visible by other imaging methods.

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses ultra high frequency sound waves and is useful in diagnosing cancer of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, ovaries, prostate and breast.

• Plain radiography and mammography: Plain radiography allows the detection of malignant abnormalities throughout the skeleton. Chest X-rays allow the examination of the lungs and heart, whilst mammography is an established method of identifying breast cancer.

• Barium techniques: Barium meals and enemas are performed to identify structural abnormalities throughout the gastrointestinal tract allowing the detection of cancers.

Cancer treatment in London

New developments and new ways of treating cancer are being discovered. The Bupa Cromwell Cancer Centre is committed to remaining right at the forefront of private cancer treatment in the UK.

Gamma Knife Surgery

The first London Gamma Knife was installed at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital Gamma Knife Centre in 1998. Since that time they have successfully treated over 1,500 patients.

• State of the art facility: In 2007 the Centre was totally refurbished, and they installed the latest in Gamma Knife technology - the Gamma Knife PerfexionTM. This has since enabled them to not only treat tumours and abnormalities in the brain, but in the head and neck region as well.

• Wide range of treatable conditions: Gamma Knife Surgery or Radiosurgery is recognised worldwide as an accepted treatment for various brain tumours, including; cancer metastases in the brain; benign tumours such as meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumours and other head and neck tumours. Radiosurgery can also be used to treat trigeminal neuralgia and vascular malformations in the brain. One of the many benefits is that It enables neurosurgeons to treat many brain tumours that would otherwise be inaccessible for treatment.

• Medical expertise: The Gamma Knife Centre at Bupa Cromwell Hospital is run by a highly experienced team of clinical staff and headed up by two Professors of Gamma Knife Surgery; Professor Christer Lindquist and Professor Bodo Lippitz, who have trained other neurosurgeons and oncologists worldwide to use the Gamma Knife.  Between them they have over 45 years of experience in Gamma Knife surgery.

• NHS recognition: In July 2003, the London Specialised Commissioning Group recommended the Bupa Cromwell Hospital Gamma Knife Centre to provide Radiosurgery for NHS patients.

TomoTherapy

TomoTherapy is the most advanced, integrated cancer treatment system available.

The TomoTherapy Hi·Art System® is a new, revolutionary way to treat cancer with radiation. Using this system the physician can check the location of a patient's tumour before each treatment, then deliver painless and precise radiation therapy based on a carefully customised plan. The TomoTherapy Hi·Art System delivers a very sophisticated form of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

TomoTherapy literally means ‘slice therapy’ and gets its name from tomography, or cross-sectional imaging. The equipment used for TomoTherapy looks much like a computed tomography (CT) system: the patient lies on a couch that moves continuously through a rotating ring gantry. The gantry houses a linear accelerator, which delivers radiation, in the shape of a fan beam, as the ring is turning. With the couch moving at the same time as the gantry is rotating, the radiation beam makes a spiral (or helical) pattern around the patient, targeting tumours with optimal levels of radiation while minimising the dose to healthy areas.

The advantage of TomoTherapy is having a radiation treatment beam projected into the tumor continuously as it rotates means physicians can adjust the size, shape, and intensity of the beam to target the radiation to the size, shape, and location of the patient's tumour.

Find out more from the TomoTherapy Hi-Art System Patient Guide (PDF).

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy (also known as Permanent Seed Implant Therapy) is widely established in the USA and Europe as one of the preferred treatments for early prostate cancer.

Brachytherapy involves the use of state-of–the art computer planning software to implant radioactive seeds into the prostate. Anywhere from 50-110 seeds containing iodine are inserted through needles directly into the prostate through the perineum – the skin between the scrotum and the rectum.

Until recently, Brachytherapy has been carried out as a two stage process, whereby the planning stage is carried out a few weeks before the implant of the seeds. However, recent advances have enabled the Hospital to introduce a one stage procedure where both stages are combined to minimise patient inconvenience.

Once the seeds are in position, they produce a uniform ‘sphere’ that treats the prostate cancer. After several months the seeds become inert and leave the titanium shell, which will not cause any problems or be felt by the patient.

Advantages of Brachytherapy:

• Simple, short procedure

• More convenient than the traditional two stage approach

• Rapid return to normal life

• Allows high doses of radiation to the prostate whilst minimising the risk of damage to the bladder and bowel

• To date, clinical evidence suggests it is as effective in the long term as other treatment options

• Impotence is much less likely than with other treatment options.

You can download a brochure on Prostate Brachytherapy (PDF) at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, or download the Brachytherapy Patients Guide (PDF).

Sentinal Node Biopsy

This represents a considerable advance in breast cancer management to enable therapeutic decisions to be tailored to individual patients. For further information on this subject please contact the Breast Care Nurse.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

In HIFU treatment for prostate cancer an ultrasound beam is focused onto a small area of diseased prostate, which is then heated to 80-90°C and destroyed. The heat is carefully targeted to avoid damaging the surrounding tissue. Results available so far show that HIFU is effective at treating some prostate cancers and are comparable with surgery. HIFU has the added benefit that treatment is 'non-invasive' and is performed as a day case procedure.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the intravenous use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. The type of chemotherapy treatment given for cancer depends on many things, particularly the type of cancer. Often chemotherapy is used in conjunction with surgery and/or radiotherapy.

The Chemotherapy Day Unit at the Bupa Cromwell provides outpatient treatment from a dedicated team of nurses using the latest drug therapies. The appropriate therapy will be agreed with you by your Oncologist and will depend on the type and stage of your cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally, or intravenously (for long term drug therapy), via PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter). Normally these lines are inserted under anaesthesia, but at the Cromwell they have a Nurse Led PICC Service which means there is no need for anaesthetic.

A Chemotherapy Nurse Specialist supervises all administration of chemotherapy to ensure compliance with all best practice guidelines.

Specialists in cancer treatment

The Clinical Directors of the Cromwell Cancer Centre is Dr Ron Beaney and Professor Bob Leonard.  Their team of Clinical Oncologists from the major London teaching hospitals are experts in treating a wide range of cancers. Supporting the Clinical Directors is Angela Gurd, General Manager for Oncology Services.

Clinical and nursing staff

The clinical and nursing staff in the Bupa Cromwell Cancer Centre work as part of a multi-disciplinary team ensuring that each patient receives the finest care and a comprehensive and personal treatment plan. Their medical team is, of course, also on hand to offer support and advice to patients throughout their treatment and follow-up. All clinical and nursing staff are fully trained in their area of expertise and are registered with their relevant professional bodies. 

Radiotherapy staff

To coincide with installation of two new TomoTherapy machines, the Radiotherapy Department has undergone extensive refurbishment.

In addition, the Centre has a team of over 25 Consultant Radiologists to read and interpret the varied range of diagnostic scans, as well as other cancer related specialists including: Dermatology, Gastroenterology and Respiratory Medicine.

Specialist clinical support services

A full range of support services including counselling, complementary therapies and the Cancer Recovery Programme means the Hospital is able offer a holistic approach to cancer treatment.

A special welcome for international patients

Bupa Cromwell Hospital’s International Patient Centre provides high quality service and care to all Arabic and other international patients and their families – whether you live in the UK or are travelling from overseas for treatment. 

They understand the specific challenges facing international patients seeking medical treatment. That is why they have experienced International Patient Co-ordinators to help you plan and organise all aspects of your visit to the hospital. Their priority is to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, and the service they offer is caring, confidential and respectful.

The International Patient Co-ordinators can offer advice to help you select the highest quality medical treatment; arrange appointments, and urgent admissions. They can help co-ordinate your stay covering both your medical care and your personal requirements. They offer reassurance, especially to those who have travelled from abroad for treatment.  They understand at first-hand the language and cultural needs you are likely to have, and can support you before, during and after your visit to the hospital.

International Patient Coordinator Services include assisting with:

• Visas

• Financial arrangements

• Accommodation and transport – for patients and accompanying relatives

• Interpreters

• Scheduling follow-up appointments

• Medical records and prescriptions

• Dietary requirements, including Halal prepared meals, and ‘wish for a dish’ for patients to choose something they would like which is not on the extensive menus

• Special security services as required

• Chauffeur-driven cars and minibuses

• Hairdressers and beauticians who can visit your room or suite

• Religious considerations, for example there is a multi-faith worship room, and can provide prayer mats.

UK-based embassies

The International Patient Coordinators have close links with embassies in the UK which are coordinating visits for patients.  They work with embassies to help facilitate all the elements of the patient’s visit from before the patient arrives in the UK right up until their departure.

Luxury suites

The prestigious King and Queen Suites are located on the top floor, with exclusive access and offer spacious accommodation.

Access is by a dedicated private entrance so your car can be driven directly into the exclusive secure private car park.  On entering the private entrance the dedicated lift is just a few steps away.

The suites benefit from luxury carpeting; parquet flooring, air-conditioning; subtle lighting; together with one-way security glass windows, and custom-made security doors.  There is a full-service kitchen, where if required special meals can be prepared to order, and supplies brought in if necessary from nearby stores such as Harrods Food Hall, Wholefoods and specialist international stores, as well as some of the world’s finest restaurants.

There is a nurses station serving both suites which is staffed by dedicated team on-call twenty four hours a day.

King Suite

• Fully-carpeted spacious drawing room with comfortable sofas and armchairs, occasional tables etc

• Master bedroom suite with super-kingsize bed, fine linens

• Fresh bed and bath linen daily and Molton Brown toiletries

• Fixed Wifi position and desk

• En-suite marble bathroom with double-size walk-in shower

• Television with UK and overseas channels including all Arabic channels as standard, Sky TV and DVD playback

• Digital radio

• Magazines and newspapers including international publications, to order

Queen Suite

• Ante-room with comfortable seating

• Full-size dining room which can seat up to eight people

• Master bedroom suite with super king-size bed, fine linens

• En-suite marble bathroom with step in shower

• Fresh bed and bath linen daily and Molton Brown toiletries

• Television with UK and overseas channels including all Arabic channels as standard, Sky TV and DVD playback

• Digital radio

• Magazines and newspapers including international publications, to order

Companion rooms

There is a number of high quality spacious rooms available adjoining both the King and Queen Suites, and which are ideal for family members, companions and assistants.  Two of these rooms can be combined to provide a mini-suite of bedroom, and adjoining sitting room with two bathrooms.

High quality standard accommodation floors 1-3  

• Well appointed, light, air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms

• Digital radio

• Magazines and newspapers including international publications, to order

• Excellent menu choice designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes

• Fresh bed and bath linen daily and for that extra special touch each bathroom has Molton Brown toiletries.   

• Each room is double glazed, equipped with a choice of national and international TV channels including all Arabic channels and SKY movies and DVD playback

Private roof garden

Patients are welcome to walk or sit, and relax in the quiet roof garden on the third floor level.

Local facilities to enjoy

Bupa Cromwell Hospital is located in Kensington just one and a half miles along the road from Knightsbridge with its many attractions including Harrods department store and a wide range of international designer and other shops, hairdressers and salons.

The famous Kensington Gardens is just a mile away and features the Peter Pan Garden which people of all ages enjoy, together with the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

Making an appointment

For all information about making appointments for treatment at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, London, please contact the International Patient Centre:  

Tel:  +44 (0)20 7640 5660

Or visit the website 

Email: vip.coordinator@cromwellhospital.com

Referring a patient to Bupa Cromwell Hospital

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