If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or told there’s nothing more that can be done, Dr Ram offers an independent, evidence-based review of your diagnosis and treatment plan. Patients and referring clinicians across the UK ask for his opinion on complex head & neck, skull base and CNS cancers, and on whether proton beam therapy could deliver a better outcome.
MD, DHA, DIH, FRCPI, FRCP, FRCR, FAcadMEd | 20+ years in oncology | 12+ years in proton beam therapy | NHS Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Southampton | Clinics in London, Southampton & Windsor
Why patients and clinicians ask for a second opinion
A cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult moments a person can face. Decisions about treatment carry weight, and so does the question many patients hesitate to ask out loud:
| “Is this really the best plan for me?”
Asking for a second opinion is not a sign of doubt in your current team. It’s a sign that you’re taking your care seriously. In complex oncology, where treatment plans are nuanced and the technology is moving quickly, a fresh expert review can:
- Confirm that the proposed treatment is the right one for you.
- Identify newer or more precise options, including proton beam therapy, stereotactic or intra-operative radiotherapy, immunotherapy and combination protocols.
- Reduce the risk of long-term side effects by considering treatments that better protect surrounding healthy tissue.
- Open doors to clinical trials or evolving best practice you may not have been told about.
- Give you, and your family, peace of mind before committing to treatment.
When a second opinion is worth considering
A second opinion can be valuable at any stage. Patients commonly contact Dr Ram when:
- They have just been diagnosed and want their plan reviewed before treatment starts.
- Their cancer has returned, and they want a specialist view on what’s possible next.
- They have been advised to have surgery, but want to understand whether radiotherapy or proton therapy could achieve the same outcome with fewer functional side effects.
- They have been told no further treatment is available and want certainty that every option has been explored.
- They are partway through treatment and are not seeing the response they expected.
- They are travelling to the UK from overseas for treatment and want a UK consultant to review their plan.
Note: If you are unsure whether your situation is suitable for a second opinion, contact Dr Ram’s medical secretary.
There is no obligation to proceed after an initial enquiry.
Areas of specialist second-opinion expertise
Dr Ram is one of the UK’s most experienced Consultant Clinical Oncologists in the non-surgical management of complex cancers. He provides second opinions across the following cancers and treatments.
Cancers
- Head & neck cancers – including the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, salivary glands and tonsils.
- Skull base tumours – including chordomas, chondrosarcomas, glomus tumours and meningiomas.
- Central nervous system (CNS) tumours.
- Skin cancers.
- Rare and complex cancers where specialist radiotherapy expertise is needed.
Treatments
- Proton beam therapy – Dr Ram is one of the UK’s most experienced proton therapy clinicians, with over 12 years in the field and a leading role in shaping national best practice.
- Advanced radiotherapy – IMRT, IGRT, stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT/SRS) and intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT).
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT) to manage radiation-induced side effects.
| Proton beam therapyis one of the fastest-evolving areas in cancer treatment, and access in the UK is still limited. Many patients are not told about it as an option. Dr Ram has delivered proton beam therapy to hundreds of patients and helped shape the clinical pathways for its use across the UK. He can give you a clear, honest answer on whether it could be right for your case and if it isn’t, he’ll tell you that too.
How a second opinion with Dr Ram works
1. Get in touch
Contact Dr Ram’s medical secretary to register your interest. You don’t need a formal referral to make an enquiry.
2. Share your records
You’ll be asked to share your diagnostic reports, scans, pathology and existing treatment plan. The team will guide you through exactly what’s needed.
3. Consultation with Dr Ram
Dr Ram personally reviews your case and meets with you in person at one of his clinics in London, Southampton or Windsor, or remotely if preferred. International patients are welcome.
4. A clear, written opinion
You receive a clear summary of his findings and recommendations, written in a way that’s useful both to you and to your existing medical team.
For referring clinicians
Oncologists, surgeons and GPs across the UK refer patients to Dr Ram for specialist input on complex head & neck, skull base and CNS cancers, and for an authoritative view on the role of proton beam therapy.
As Radiotherapy Lead for the Thames Valley & Wessex ODN, an FRCR examiner, a NICE Technology Appraisal Clinical Expert and a Radiotherapy CRG board member at NHS England, Dr Ram’s opinion is grounded in national best practice and active involvement in setting it.
Referrals can be made through his medical secretary. Dr Ram will provide a structured written opinion that integrates with the patient’s existing care pathway.
| Contact Ann Clay: +44 23 8120 6598
Where Dr Ram sees partients
Dr Ram holds private consultations at Spire Southampton, GenesisCare Southampton, GenesisCare Windsor, HCA Harley Street, London and Proton International London at UCLH.
Remote consultations are available for patients elsewhere in the UK and overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral from my current oncologist?
No. You can contact Dr Ram’s team directly. Many patients prefer to do this themselves before involving their existing medical team. We will, however, need access to your medical records and imaging to provide a meaningful opinion.
Will my current doctor know I’ve sought a second opinion?
Only if you choose to share it with them. We strongly encourage open dialogue with your existing team – a written second opinion is most useful when both you and your clinicians can act on it – but the choice is yours.
How much does a second opinion cost?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your case and whether further imaging or investigations are required. Dr Ram’s medical secretary will give you a clear quote before any consultation is booked. Many patients are covered by private medical insurance – we’ll help you check.
How quickly can I be seen?
Urgent cases are usually seen within a few days. We understand that time matters when you’re facing a cancer diagnosis.
Can I have a second opinion if I live overseas?
Yes. Dr Ram regularly reviews cases for international patients, both remotely and in person.
What if I decide to continue treatment with my current team?
That is entirely your right, and a perfectly common outcome. The purpose of a second opinion is to give you confidence in the path you choose, whichever path that is.
Contact Dr Ram
Dealing with cancer can be a difficult and emotionally challenging situation. Dr Ram always has your best interests and wellbeing at heart.
Make an enquiry or book an appointment today to see how Dr Ram can help.