Dr Robert Thomas

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

NHS or other affiliations
Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering

Position: Clinical Consultant
Personal home page: http://www.cancernet.co.uk

PubMed journal articles - click here

Research description

An oncologist specialising in breast, colon and urological cancers, including the treatment of patients with chemotherapy, biological therapies, radiotherapy and prostate brachytherapy. Has a strong clinical and academic interest in nutrition, lifestyle and survivourship strategies after cancer. He has designed, completed and published a number of national research trials including; an evaluation of the impact of exercise in relation to treatment toxicity; a national randomised trial evaluating a polyphenol rich food supplement (Pomi-T) and it's influence on prostate cancer progression. From the exercise research he has designed the UK's first course and qualification in cancer rehabilitation for exercise professionals and currently chairs the MacMillan Cancer Support national exercise programme. He has designed an RCT evaluating the impact and cost effectiveness of exercise after cancer linked to cranfield business School. The Polyphenol research, presented as an oral presentaion at ASCO,  has led to the development of a number of RCT's including; a translational laboratory project looking at the impact of Pomi-T on serum and its influence on cancer cell lines; the effect of polyphenols and phytochemicals on symptoms related to prostatitis, arthritis and breast pain. In addition, he has an an ongoing RCT evaluating the effect of a natural essential oil nail cream on the severity of taxotere oncolysis.

Research Programme or Virtual Institute
Urological Malignancies Virtual Institute
Methods and technologies
Clinical practice
Clinical trials
Tumour type interests
Breast
Colorectal
Prostate

Key publications

An analysis of surveillance for stage one  combined teratoma/seminoma  of the testis. Thomas R, Dearnaley D,  Horwich A.  British Journal of Cancer (1996), vol 74, pp 59-63.   Hypofractionated radiotherapy as palliative treatment in poor prognosis patients with high grade glioma. R Thomas,  N James, D  Guerro, S Asley, A Gregor, M Brada. Radiotherapy & Oncology (1995). Vol 33, pp.113-116.   Speech and language disorders in patients with high grade gliomas and its influence on survival.    R Thomas,  M O'Conner,  S Ashley,  M Brada.   Journal of  Neuro-Oncology (1995). Vol.23: p.265-270.   Modifying the Barthel index for use in patients with brain tumours - an update.  R Thomas. European Journal of Cancer Care (1997). Vol.7, pp 62-7.   Distribution kinetics of radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies in experimental tumours following interstitial and systemic administration.  R Thomas, P Carnochan, M Brada - Radioactive isotopes in Nuclear Medicine and Research (1994). pp 56-82.   Forewarned is forearmed ? benefits of preparatory information on video casette for patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy - a randomised controlled trial. Thomas R, Daly M, Perryman B, Stockton D European Journal Cancer (2000),  issue 36 1536-1543.   Lessons Learnt from Raltitrexed ? Quality Assurance, Patient Education and Intensive Supportive Drugs to Optimize Tolerability.  R.Thomas, M. Williams, J. Garcia-Vargas Clinical Oncology (2003) 00:1-6.   Giving patients a choice improves quality of life: A multi-centre, investigator-blind, randomised, crossover study comparing letrozole with anastrozole. R. Thomas,  A. Makris, D. Bloomfield, A.M. Moody, M. Williams. Clinical Oncology (2004) 16: 485-491.   Can switching to Aromatase inhibitors in tamoxifen intolerant post menopausal women improve hot flushes, toxicity, qol and mood? R Thomas, C Marshall, M Williams, L Walker Bristish Journal of Cancer(2008) 98, 1494-1499 The total hospital and community UK costs of managing patients with relapsed breast cancer. RJ Thomas, M Williams, C Marshall, J Glen and M Callam (2010) British Journal of Cancer, 100, 598 ? 600.   Cancer ? the roles of exercise in prevention and progression.  Robert Thomas and Nichola Davies. Nutrition and Food Science  2007.Volume 37 Issue 5   Lifestyle factors correlate with the risk of late pelvic symptoms after prostatic radiotherapy. R Thomas, M Holm, P Bellamy, A Jervoise, J Maher Clinical Oncology (2013) 25 (4) pp 246-251