University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Cancer Services

UCLH Cancer Services is a group of clinical services within University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, rather than a single standalone cancer hospital. It draws on a longstanding London teaching-hospital tradition and works closely with UCL, a separate university organisation involved in biomedical research and medical education.

Cancer care is distributed across inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic and specialist treatment settings. The University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, opened in 2012, is an important outpatient cancer facility. Other treatments may take place elsewhere within the trust or through partner services, depending on the clinical pathway.

The service's scope includes multidisciplinary cancer assessment, complex treatment and supportive care. It is particularly associated with blood cancer care, neuro-oncology, head-and-neck programmes and advanced radiotherapy, including NHS proton beam therapy. Its academic links support research into cell and gene therapies, although a research programme does not mean that every experimental approach is available as routine care.

Blood cancer services cover conditions such as lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma, with treatment determined by disease subtype, molecular findings and previous therapy. CAR-T is relevant to selected blood cancers under specific eligibility criteria. Neuro-oncology addresses brain and other central nervous system tumours, where planning can require specialist pathology, imaging, neurosurgical input, radiotherapy and systemic treatment.

Head and neck cancer care commonly requires coordination between surgery, oncology, imaging, pathology, dental services, nutrition and speech and swallowing support. Prostate cancer decisions depend on disease stage, risk and patient priorities. Breast cancer pathways similarly depend on pathology, hormone receptor and HER2 findings, stage and previous treatment. For either programme, patients should confirm which assessments and treatments UCLH would provide directly and whether partner hospitals would deliver parts of their care.

Surgery may be considered when removing a tumour offers appropriate disease control or symptom relief. Suitability depends on tumour location, stage, general health and the likely functional effects. Patients should ask which surgical team and hospital would be involved, particularly where treatment crosses organisational boundaries.

Radiotherapy includes conventional photon-based techniques and proton beam therapy. Protons can reduce radiation exposure to some surrounding tissues in selected situations, but they are not automatically more effective or appropriate for every cancer. UCLH's NHS proton service uses specialist assessment and commissioning pathways; overseas access and funding require explicit confirmation.

Systemic treatment can include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted medicines and, for appropriate cancers, hormone therapy. Selection depends on diagnosis, biomarkers, previous treatment and fitness. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are broad categories: the availability of a particular medicine depends on its indication, regulatory status, funding and the patient's circumstances.

CAR-T uses modified immune cells and is offered for selected lymphomas and leukaemias. It involves assessment, cell collection, manufacturing and specialist treatment, with monitoring for potentially serious complications. UCL-linked cell and gene therapy research also explores investigational approaches. Neither research participation nor CAR-T eligibility can be inferred from a diagnosis alone.

The supplied centre profile describes around 250 active oncology clinical trials. This figure is indicative and should not be treated as a current recruitment count: portfolios change, and active studies may be closed to new participants or limited to follow-up. Studies can evaluate medicines, cellular treatments, radiotherapy approaches, diagnostics or supportive care, each with a separate protocol.

International patients can ask the relevant disease team whether a potentially suitable study is recruiting. Initial consideration generally requires clinical records, pathology, molecular results, imaging and a treatment history; final eligibility may require local screening. Residence, travel demands, prior treatments and organ function may affect feasibility. Trial participation does not guarantee benefit or free overall care. Confirm which research procedures are funded and which routine care, travel or accommodation expenses remain the patient's responsibility.

Before travelling, request clarification of the appropriate referral route for the diagnosis and proposed treatment. NHS eligibility is not determined by nationality alone, and overseas patients may be chargeable. Availability of an NHS specialist service does not establish that an international self-funded pathway exists. Seek clinical acceptance and a written explanation of funding arrangements before booking non-refundable travel.

Plan for more than the treatment itself. Pathology review, repeat investigations, recovery and complication monitoring may extend the stay. Ask whether a caregiver is required and how urgent problems would be managed. Agree how records and follow-up instructions will reach the home oncology team, including responsibility for medicines, monitoring and any care needed after returning home.

Contact details below come from the hospital's own published international patient information.

Location: London, United Kingdom

Email: uclh.pps@nhs.net

Phone: +44 20 3447 7542

Website: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk

Languages supported: English, Arabic, Russian

Remote second opinion: Available

Always confirm current contact details on the hospital's own website before sending medical records, and never send documents to an address you have not verified.