Cancer treatment that takes days not weeks

Technology that targets moving tumours

We offer cutting-edge, innovative cancer treatments to provide safe and effective care for our patients. We’re proud to be the first independent healthcare provider in the UK to introduce the MRIdian – an advanced MR linac. This world-class radiotherapy system is available at our centres in Oxford and Cromwell Hospital in London and can be accessed by patients throughout the UK.

MR linac technology combines high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning techniques with extremely powerful radiotherapy beams to treat tumours more accurately than conventional radiotherapy. This type of radiotherapy is called magnetic resonance image guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT).

The benefits of MRIdian

Accurate targeting

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) means the MRIdian can show the exact position and shape of the tumour during treatment, so it can target radiation at the tumour precisely

Greater control and precision

The MRIdian is the only MR linac to have automated beam control, so if your tumour moves slightly, your treatment will automatically pause until it comes back into position

Reduced side effects

The MRIdian’s increased accuracy means the radiation beam is less likely to damage healthy tissue than conventional radiotherapy. Side effects occur when healthy tissue is damaged

Fewer treatments

With conventional radiotherapy, you may need up to 37 treatments. But with the MRIdian, the radiation is much more focused and you may only need five treatments

Who can benefit from the MRIdian?

More than 20,000* people worldwide have already benefitted from having been treated with the MRIdian. It is a promising treatment option for tumours near other major organs where limiting damage to healthy tissue is paramount or in organs that move a lot, for example, due to breathing. This makes the MRIdian suitable for:

Its precision at targeting small tumours makes the MRIdian useful where cancer has spread to other regions of the body (metastasised) and for the re-irradiation (retreating with radiation) of areas that have already received radiotherapy in the past.

To have treatment with an MR linac such as the MRIdian, you need to be suitable for both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning technology and radiotherapy. 

Due to the advanced technology and precision accuracy of the MRIdian, treatment can be delivered over five alternate days. There’s also the option for patients undergoing MRIdian radiotherapy for prostate cancer to receive treatment over five consecutive days. Find out more about MRIdian prostate radiotherapy.

Enquire now about the MRIdian

The MRIdian is available at our centres in Oxford and Cromwell Hospital in London. Your cancer specialist can refer you for a consultation. We’re recognised by all major insurers and we’ll help you with transport depending on treatment and locations, when required.

What does MRIdian treatment involve?

Here is an outline of what to expect after your initial consultation and before, during and after your treatment. There are four stages to the process: simulation, planning, treatment and follow-up. Before your first appointment, your care team will call you to explain any preparation instructions you may need to follow in advance of your appointments and to answer any questions you may have.

Side effects of MRIdian

With the MRIdian, side effects can be fewer and less prolonged** than with conventional radiotherapy.

For example, in the treatment of prostate cancer, short term side effects, lasting around three to four weeks include:

  • Needing to pass urine urgently
  • Discomfort on passing urine
  • Loose and frequent bowel movements
  • Feeling tired

Long-term side effects, which could last for years, may include:

  • Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
  • Softer stool and passing urine more frequently,
  • Rarely, narrowing of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of your body, making it difficult to pass urine may occur as well as persistent bleeding from the back passage.

*20,000 patients treated worldwide with MRIdian as of April 2022.

** A study from VU* University Medical Centre in Amsterdam showed a low occurrence of gastrointestinal and urinary side effects in patient and clinician-reported outcomes.

Our MRIdian specialists

Your treatment will be provided by one of our leading consultants who are all specially trained to provide radiotherapy using the MRIdian. They’ll work with a team of consultants who are also experts in this kind of advanced radiotherapy to review your referral and create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Dr Alex Martin

MA, BM BCh, MD, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Cambridge +1

Dr Alison Falconer

Clinical oncologist

London Cromwell Hospital

Dr Ami Sabharwal

BSc (Hons), MBBS, MRCP, FRCR, MD

Consultant Oncologist

Oxford

Dr Andy Gaya

BSc, MB BS, MRCP, FRCR, MD

Clinical Oncologist

London Cromwell Hospital

Dr Carla Perna

MBBS, FRCR (equiv.)

Clinical Oncologist

Guildford +3

Dr Dan Ford

MBChB (Hons), BSc, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical oncologist

Birmingham +1

Dr James Good

MSc PhD FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Oxford +1

Dr John Conibear

MBBCh, BSc, MRCP, MSc, FRCR, MD(Res)

Clinical Oncologist

London Cromwell Hospital +1

Dr Joss Adams

FRCR, MRCP, MB, Bchir, BA Hons

Clinical oncologist

Windsor +1

Dr Nicola Anyamene

MBBS, FRCR, MRCP

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Elstree

Dr Nicola Dallas

MBChB, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Windsor +1

Dr Philip Camilleri

MD, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Oxford +1

Dr Prantik Das

MBBS, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Birmingham +2

Dr M. Rafiqul Islam

MBBS MRCP FRCR

Clinical oncologist

Chelmsford +1

Dr Rob Owens

BSc (Hons), MBBcH, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Oxford

Dr Sara Khaksar

Mb Bch MRCP FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Guildford +2

Dr Timothy Sevitt

MA, MB, Bchir, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Maidstone

Dr Veni Ezhil

MBBS, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Guildford +3

Dr Jason Lester

MB BS, MCRP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Bristol +1

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