Dr James Wilson - lung and skin cancer specialist

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Dr James Wilson - lung and skin cancer specialist

Leading London oncologist with 20+ years NHS experience, formerly Consultant at UCLH. Offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments e.g.

Specialising in lung cancer, skin cancer and SABR for selected Stage 4 cancer. Proton Beam Therapy, MR-linac With over 20 years of distinguished NHS service, culminating as Consultant Oncologist at UCLH, I now bring elite oncological expertise to my private practice in central London. I specialise in lung cancer, skin cancer and SABR for oligometastatic disease of any type. My patients benefit from access to the most advanced treatment technologies, including proton beam therapy and MR-linac, as well as cutting-edge medical treatments as soon as they become available. Trained at world-leading institutions including Oxford, The Royal Marsden, and Massachusetts General Hospital, I provide rapid access to comprehensive investigations and proven treatment modalities. Practising across prestigious London hospitals allows us to select the optimal setting for your personalised treatment plan. The private care environment ensures truly individualised medicine—whether our goal is curative treatment or enhancing quality of life. Let's work together to achieve your best possible outcome.

29/10/2025

A side-by-side comparison that could change how we approach lung cancer treatment.

Proton beam therapy delivers precision radiation with significantly less exposure to the heart and surrounding healthy tissue.

If I had lung cancer near my heart, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose this approach despite ongoing clinical trials. The physics speaks for itself.

If proton beam therapy hasn’t been discussed as part of your treatment options, ask why.

You deserve to know all possible approaches.

👉 For personalised guidance on your cancer journey, visit the link in my bio to book a consultation.

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25/10/2025

Can fluid around the lungs from lung cancer be treated? Absolutely.

In my clinic, I see this all the time.

The first step is simple: drain the fluid. You’ll often feel better straight away.

Next, we look at long-term options, like pleurodesis, indwelling catheters, or tackling the cancer itself with modern treatments.

👉 Breathless and stuck waiting? You might have faster options.

🎗

23/10/2025

How Does Cancer Cause Pleural Effusion?

Wondering how malignancy leads to fluid around the lungs? Here’s what you need to know about malignant pleural effusion.

Cancer cells can block lymphatic drainage or inflame the pleura, the lung’s lining, causing fluid buildup. This commonly happens with lung cancer, breast cancer, or metastatic disease.

The body keeps producing fluid, but when drainage is blocked, it accumulates around the lungs, leading to breathlessness.

Important: If you’re waiting weeks for drainage or scans while getting more breathless, know that diagnosis and treatment can often be expedited when prioritised.

21/10/2025

Did you know some cancers can cause fluid in the lungs?

It’s called a pleural effusion, and the most common cause is lung cancer, but breast cancer, colon cancer and lymphoma can do it too.

Watch to learn more about what type of cancer causes fluid in the lungs and why it makes breathing harder.

Dr James Wilson | Lung Cancer Specialist

19/10/2025

New research reinforces what we've known for years - but most patients still aren't hearing about it.

This weekend at the ESMO Congress, results from the NorthStar trial showed that adding local consolidative therapy (targeted radiotherapy or surgery) to standard medication significantly improved outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer.

The numbers: patients receiving both treatments had a median of 25.3 months without disease progression, compared to 17.5 months with medication alone. That's nearly 8 extra months of disease control.

This isn't the first study to show this benefit. Similar trials in 2019 and 2023 demonstrated comparable results. The evidence has been building for years.

So why aren't more patients hearing about these options?

It's not because oncologists don't care. It's because our healthcare systems aren't always set up to identify patients who could benefit from combining treatments early in their journey.

Many patients with stage IV lung cancer never meet a radiation oncologist. Radiotherapy often isn't discussed until other treatment options have been tried - sometimes too late to make the most impact.

The evidence exists. The challenge is in delivery.

If you or someone you care about is navigating lung cancer treatment, here are questions worth asking your medical team:
→ Could radiotherapy help consolidate my current response to treatment?
→ Should I be seeing a radiation oncologist?
→ Are all my treatment options being considered, not just medication?

Cancer care works best as a team approach - medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology working together from the start.

Swipe through the slides to understand what the research shows and why this matters for patients.

Save this post to reference at your next appointment.

02/10/2025

Not all Stage 4 cancer is the same.

When cancer spreads, it doesn’t always behave in the same way.

In some cases, it only affects a small number of areas, known as oligometastatic disease.

Thanks to modern radiotherapy techniques like SABR, these spots can sometimes be treated directly, offering people more time without making daily life harder.

If you or someone you care about is living with cancer, it may be worth asking: Could SABR be an option for me?

Let’s make cancer less confusing.

29/09/2025

What are the stages of cancer?

All of the scans you have when you find out you have cancer are to tell us what ‘stage’ the cancer is. Until we know this, we don’t know what the best treatment is.

Cancer staging goes from 1 to 4. Stage 1 cancer is localised to where it started, while Stage 4 cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

No matter what the stage of the cancer is, there’s always something that can be done. It’s important that all of the staging tests are done quickly so that they don’t delay you getting the treatment you need.

Got questions? Happy to help!

26/09/2025

I’m always humbled when patients share reviews of their care.

The 5-star ratings matter - but the words behind them mean even more.

Many patients come to me after being told there are no options left. In those moments, what matters most is listening, exploring every possibility, and giving back a sense of hope.

Hope doesn’t always mean cure - but it does mean clarity, options, and care that feels personal. That’s what those 5 stars represent.

Looking for clarity when things feel uncertain? That’s what I’m here for.

24/09/2025

Lung cancer is often diagnosed late, when treatment is harder. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Catching it early makes all the difference:
✔️ Learn the warning signs (persistent cough, hoarse voice, chest pain, breathlessness, weight loss)
✔️ Don’t dismiss symptoms that linger
✔️ Take advantage of screening, which can detect lung cancer before symptoms appear

Early diagnosis means more treatment options, and better chances of controlling the disease. Screening saves lives.

Looking for clarity about lung cancer screening? That’s what I’m here for.

22/09/2025

It’s one of the biggest myths in medicine: “Only smokers get lung cancer.”

Yes, smoking is the main risk factor. But it’s not the only one.

People can also develop lung cancer due to:
Family history and genetic risk
Second-hand smoke exposure
Air pollution or radon exposure
The after-effects of some previous cancers and treatments

That’s why lung cancer awareness matters for everyone - not just smokers. Recognising this helps us detect it earlier, when treatment works best.

Looking for clarity about your risk? That’s what I’m here for.

19/09/2025

Is lung cancer curable? Caught in the early stages? Absolutely.
Lung cancer is often diagnosed late, when symptoms are already advanced. That makes treatment harder.

But here’s the good news:
✔️ Lung cancer is curable when caught early
✔️ Screening can pick up cancers before symptoms start
✔️ Early action means more treatment options and better outcomes

Screening doesn’t just find cancer, it saves lives.

Looking for clarity about screening? That’s what I’m here for.

17/09/2025

Have you ever heard of finger clubbing?

It’s when the fingertips gradually widen and the nails become more curved. It can be linked to lung cancer, among other conditions.

Having clubbed fingers on its own isn’t a diagnosis, and it doesn’t always mean cancer. But it is a sign that should be checked by a doctor if it’s new to you.

Why does this matter? Because catching lung cancer early opens the door to more treatment options and a better outlook.

Looking for clarity about symptoms? That’s what I’m here for.

Address

164-178 Cromwell Road
London
SW50TU

Website

https://drjameswilson.co.uk/

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