Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. Detected early and treated quickly, the chances of achieving successful lung cancer treatment outcomes are promising.
I specialise in state-of-the-art lung cancer treatments that offer powerful alternatives to surgery and traditional radiotherapy. As a leading UK cancer doctor, I am now able to offer more people with lung cancer treatments the potential for a cure than ever before.
Regardless of the stage of your lung cancer, there is always something I can do to support you.
“I saw Dr Wilson to receive stereotactic radiotherapy for lung cancer and from the first meeting he inspired my confidence, offering thorough explanations and a kind and thoughtful approach at all times.” - Doctify review
“As your cancer doctor, I am committed to seeing you quickly and providing a personalised, targeted lung cancer treatment plan that incorporates the most advanced cancer treatment options available. It's important to remember that whether your lung cancer is confined as a lung tumour, is early stage or has spread to an advanced stage, with targeted therapy, there is always something I can do to help you get the best treatment.”
Dr James Wilson
Lung cancer and lung cancer treatment
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. Detected early and treated quickly, the chances of achieving successful lung cancer treatment outcomes are promising. Even among those diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, many are living longer and experiencing extended periods during which their cancer and its symptoms are well managed.
While the most common cause of lung cancer is smoking, it’s important to recognise that lung cancers occur in people who have never smoked, too. If you have smoked, there is no judgement. Risk factors and known causes of lung cancer also include a family history of lung cancer, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to radon gas, asbestos exposure, enviromental pollution and a history of respiratory conditions.
There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type of cancer, accounting for about 80 to 85 out of 100 cases here in the UK. On the other hand, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is less common but at high risk of spreading more quickly. The cancer stage describes how much and where it is in the body; as a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread.
Multiple factors impact the treatment outcomes of lung cancer, such as the cancer stage at diagnosis, an individual’s overall health, and the genetic characteristics of the cancer cells. Additionally, factors like smoking history, age, gender and your own lung cancer treatment preferences also play a role. Early detection of lung cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes. Lung cancer treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and clinical trials—or different combinations of these approaches—are more successful when used in the early stages.
I am now able to offer more people with lung cancer treatments with the potential for a cure than ever before. As one of a few UK cancer doctors with access to all the latest targeted lung cancer treatments, I can provide curative lung cancer options to individuals who might only be offered palliative treatment elsewhere.
If you have only been offered palliative lung cancer treatment elsewhere and your doctor hasn’t discussed proton beam therapy, MR-linac treatment, clinical trials, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) or a combination treatment approach with you, then we should definitely talk about your lung cancer treatment options.
My private practice is affiliated with a distinguished group of hospitals in London, tailored to meet your individual needs through compassionate cancer care. One significant advantage of private hospitals is their flexibility; I can find the most effective cancer treatment and treatment centre for you, and you can decide when to undergo treatment. I am here to ensure that your lung cancer treatment causes the least disruption to your well-being and to support you in managing any side effects quickly and effectively, all while prioritising your well-being.
If you are not based in London, I welcome patients from across the UK and provide initial video consultations to collaboratively develop affordable, personalised cancer care and treatment plans. Additionally, should you require accommodation, I can assist in arranging a comfortable and convenient place for you to stay near my London practices.
Our Reviews
What people are saying
“At all times James is excellent. He is open and trustworthy and avoids speaking in jargon. He provides a very high level of care - you would never believe he had other patients to deal with. Given that interactions with him are inevitably about difficult issues and he cannot always deliver good news he is fantastic to deal with. He is also very responsive at all times of day and really puts himself out to help his patients as best he can.”
“Comfortable, safe and so reassuring. Not one single appointment was delayed or rescheduled. Despite the fear of cancer, I have always felt confident and in very safe hands.” –Verified patients
Doctify reviews
Targeted treatments for lung cancer
Targeted Therapy
Stereotactic Radiotherapy
Stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR) is a precise, high-dose radiation therapy for early-stage lung cancer. It’s highly effective, and my personal cure rate is 90%.
Proton beam therapy (PBT) is a specialised & highly effective radiotherapy that targets lung tumors more accurately, reducing radiation to essential organs and tissues.
Use our online contact form to schedule an in-person or online consultation with Dr James Wilson and learn how we can help you.
Step 2
Treatment plan
We will work with you to create a personalised cancer care plan, ensuring we get your treatment started as soon as possible.
Step 3
Treatment & follow-up
As you embark on your treatment journey, we will guide you through each stage with the utmost care. We are here to support both you and your loved ones every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main treatment options for lung cancer?
Treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy (such as proton beam therapy or MR-linac) and immunotherapy. Your lung cancer treatment options depend on the type and stage of your lung cancer, your overall health and your preferences for your cancer care.
If I have surgery for my lung cancer, can I avoid chemotherapy and radiotherapy?
Your treatment plan largely depends on the stage of your lung cancer and surgical outcomes. We are increasingly providing chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery to reduce tumour size and enhance the chances of successful surgery.
As an alternative, we might suggest chemotherapy or targeted therapies after surgery, depending on the stage of your lung cancer and its genetic features. Additionally, radiotherapy could be recommended post-surgery, particularly if there are concerns about remaining microscopic cancer cells.
If I have chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can I avoid surgery?
We’ll discuss the overall aim of your treatment before we begin. If you receive SABR for early-stage lung cancer, your treatment is considered complete as soon as it concludes.
Chemoradiotherapy is administered with the goal of curing stage 3 lung cancer. While I don’t routinely refer all patients for surgery after chemoradiotherapy, if I see a potential advantage in surgery, I’ll discuss this with you. Occasionally, I recommend chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery or chemotherapy or targeted therapies (e.g., Osimertinib) following surgery or radiotherapy.
How does radiotherapy work for lung cancer?
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumours. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, and advanced techniques like SABR provide precise targeting to minimise damage to healthy tissue.
What is SABR, and how is it different from traditional radiotherapy?
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is a highly precise form of radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation to a small, targeted area. It’s different from traditional radiotherapy in its accuracy and ability to minimise exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
What is the success rate of lung cancer radiotherapy?
The success rate of radiotherapy for lung cancer varies based on the stage and type of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. SABR has a high cure rate for early-stage lung cancer.
Will I die from lung cancer?
Survival rates after treatment for lung cancer vary widely. From my personal figures, 90% of the patients I have treated with SABR for early-stage lung cancer were cured by the treatment. For patients with Stage 3 lung cancer (large tumours, or those that have spread within the chest), with chemoradiotherapy followed by immunotherapy, the chance of being alive 5 years after treatment is currently about 40%. However, treatments for lung cancer are continually improving, so I expect this figure to keep rising. I remain dedicated to presenting you with the most effective treatment options to optimise your chance of treatment success.
For patients with metastatic lung cancer, I see patients who have had an excellent response to treatment and who remain well, with controlled cancer, many months to years after diagnosis. A proportion of patients with oligometastatic lung cancer who receive SABR for the metastatic disease can expect to remain cancer-free with good quality of life for longer than ever before.
Learn the key facts about non-small cell lung cancer, including early symptoms, risk factors, and modern treatment options.
Discover how diagnosis and staging affect prognosis — and why early detection matters.
Written by lung cancer specialist Dr James Wilson, this guide supports informed decisions.
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