PRIVATE CANCER SURGERY AT HCA UK

Our surgeons and surgical teams have extensive experience in performing a wide range of complex and innovative cancer procedures.

Your named consultant will discuss your diagnosis with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of cancer experts, whose goal will be to ensure that all treatment options are fully considered. Our teams include specialists in oncology, surgery, radiology, pathology and other specialist areas of cancer treatment, all working together to recommend the most effective treatment and care plan for you.

You’ll be treated by highly experienced cancer surgeons, supported by specialist teams. Based in London, Birmingham and Manchester, they regularly perform a wide range of procedures, including some of the most complex cancer surgeries.

Our teams have extensive expertise in robotically assisted surgery across urological, gynaecological, colorectal, thoracic and head and neck cancers, using the latest da Vinci surgical systems. We’re the only private provider to train surgeons on this platform and the first in the UK* to offer the da Vinci Single Port (SP) system.

Our cancer surgeons also collaborate with HCA UK surgeons in other medical specialties, such as urology, gynaecology, neurology and all other major medical disciplines. Together they can perform complex operations that require a range of expertise and experience. This collaborative approach ensures that, where required, you will receive care that draws on the expertise of various specialists to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Should you need a higher level of monitoring and support following surgery, all our hospitals have a Level 3 Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) on-site, meaning we are equipped to perform complex procedures and respond to any changing medical needs.

If you’re considering private cancer care, you can speak to your GP or a consultant about a referral – you’ll just need to ask for HCA UK. They can provide you with a referral letter, which you’ll need to bring with you when you come for a consultation. 

You can choose your preferred consultant, who will lead and oversee every aspect of your care. If you aren’t sure which consultant you need to see, we can help you find an expert that’s right for you. Either way, your care will be led by an experienced consultant who specialises in your type of cancer.

If you have private medical insurance (PMI), your insurer will usually need to approve or pre-authorise your consultation or treatment beforehand. This is normally a straightforward process. Simply contact your insurer with your referral details, and they’ll confirm what’s covered under your policy.

For some cancers, the safest and most appropriate surgery may require expertise from more than one medical specialism. When a cancer’s location or complexity calls for it, our cancer surgeons work with other HCA UK colleagues in areas such as cardiology, thoracic surgery, urology and gastrointestinal surgery to plan and deliver these procedures.  

This collaborative approach means you benefit from the combined knowledge and experience of multiple specialists working together. It helps ensure that every aspect of your operation is precision planned, and that your care remains co-ordinated and centred around your individual needs.

Most people can follow a normal, balanced diet in the days leading up to surgery, unless your clinical team advises otherwise. Eating regular meals with lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables can help maintain strength and support recovery.

For some cancers – particularly those affecting the bowel or digestive system – you may be asked to follow a modified diet (such as low-fibre) or avoid certain foods for a short period.

Your surgeon or pre-operative assessment team will give you personalised instructions, including when to stop eating or drinking before your operation.

After surgery, your body needs time to heal, so it’s best to focus on gentle, easy-to-digest foods. Rich, fatty or highly processed foods may be harder to tolerate at first, and you’ll usually be advised to avoid alcohol while you recover from your procedure.

If you’ve had surgery involving the bowel, stomach or liver, your team may recommend a temporary, tailored diet – for example, low-residue foods after bowel surgery, or having smaller meals but more often following stomach surgery.

Your multidisciplinary team will be able to guide you on what to avoid and when you can return to your usual diet.

The length of surgery varies widely depending on the type of cancer and the complexity of the procedure. Some operations, such as breast lump removal or certain skin cancer surgeries, can take around one to two hours.

Meanwhile, more complex procedures – for example colorectal surgery, liver resection or cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC – can take several hours.

Your consultant will explain how long your specific surgery is likely to take, what to expect on the day and how long you may need to stay in hospital following your procedure.

Recovery time will depend on several factors, including the type of cancer, the surgery performed and your overall health. Some people return to normal activities within a couple of weeks after less invasive procedures, such as certain breast or gynaecological surgeries.

Operations on the abdomen, liver, bowel or involving major reconstruction will need a longer recovery period, often several weeks to a few months.

Your team will give you personalised guidance on healing, pain management, activity levels and follow-up appointments, and support you through those next steps.

Our priority is to provide you with the most appropriate treatment plan, while supporting you and your loved ones with the emotional, physical and practical aspects of diagnosis, treatment and living with or beyond cancer.

Whether that’s support with the emotional impact of your diagnosis, or with the physical impacts of treatment, either during your treatment or with the longer-term effects it can cause. We can support you with everything, including diet and exercise, body image and intimate relationships, psychological support, spirituality and managing the side effects of your treatment.

The cost of private cancer treatment in the UK varies depending on the type of cancer, the stage at diagnosis, and the treatment plan that’s recommended for you. We understand that transparency is important, so we aim to provide clear information about pricing wherever possible. If you’d like to explore typical costs or discuss your options, you can find more details here.

You can find more information about our locations and see which hospital or clinic is most convenient for you here.