Professional Experience
- Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, leading the Gastrointestinal and Lymphoma Unit
- Director of Clinical Research at The Royal Marsden
- Serves in a leadership capacity in the Royal Marsden / Institute of Cancer Research NIHR Biomedical Research Centre
- He has held roles shaping research strategy, trial design, and translational medicine integration
Academic Contributions
- Many invited lectures at international oncology, gastroenterology, and cancer research conferences
- Supervision and mentorship of clinical fellows, PhD candidates, and junior oncologists
- Leadership in late-phase clinical trials that have shaped standards in gastrointestinal cancer care
- Participation on editorial boards and in guideline development for oncology and cancer therapeutics
Areas of Expertise
- Esophageal and gastric (upper gastrointestinal) cancers
- Colorectal cancer and biologically targeted therapies
- Clinical trial design and translational research in GI oncology
- Lymphoma in the context of systemic oncology care
- Biomarker-driven therapy selection in gastrointestinal malignancies
Publications and Research
Professor Cunningham has published over 600 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, with extensive citation impact. His work includes:
- Seminal trials establishing perioperative chemotherapy as standard in gastroesophageal cancer
- Clinical development of Cetuximab in colorectal cancer settings
- Research on combining novel agents with chemotherapy in GI malignancies
His profiles can be explored on ResearchGate and ORCID, reflecting contributions across translational and clinical oncology domains.
Patient Care Philosophy
- Focus on patient-centric communication — he prioritizes explaining complex cancer treatments in accessible language
- Commitment to integrating research and clinical practice to give patients access to novel therapies
- Empathy and shared decision-making — tailoring plans to individual patient needs, risks and preferences
- Support for international patients via consultation pathways at The Royal Marsden
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (UK)
- Member and leader in UK oncology and gastrointestinal cancer research networks
- Director role in the Royal Marsden / Institute of Cancer Research Biomedical Research Centre
FAQs
- Is Professor David Cunningham board-certified?
- Yes. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) and holds full consultant oncologist status in the UK.
- What types of cancers does he treat?
- He treats gastrointestinal cancers — including esophageal, gastric, colorectal — and lymphoma within the oncology setting.
- Does he accept international patients?
- Yes. The Royal Marsden serves international patients through referral arrangements and private care pathways.
- What is the usual hospital stay?
- It depends on treatment: many regimens are outpatient or day-case; some combine inpatient stays if needed for chemotherapy or complex management.
- What languages does he speak?
- He practices in English. (No public data confirming other languages.)
- How do I arrange a consultation with him?
- You can request a referral through The Royal Marsden private care service or via institutional referral through oncological networks.
