A grateful cancer patient was so pleased with the care he received at the Royal Free London that he wanted to share his feedback far and wide – by contacting a Radio 2 DJ.

Following a surprise visit by The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden Hospital to thank staff for their care during her cancer treatment, Jeremy Vine invited listeners to his lunchtime programme to share their cancer stories.

Paul McKenzie, who has been treated for cancer twice at the Royal Free Hospital, immediately contacted the show to say ‘thank you’ for the kind and attentive care he received during his treatment. He had special praise for surgeon Professor Christos Toumpanakis and clinical nurse specialist, Sophie Brown.

“Without the support and dedication of the staff at the Royal Free Hospital, I’m convinced I would not be here today,” he informed producers of the show. “Their compassion, expertise, and dedication made a world of difference, and I am deeply grateful for everything you did.”

In 2019, after undergoing a Whipple procedure, an operation that involves removing the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct, further tests revealed neuroendocrine tumours in Paul’s liver.

Paul was referred to our Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) unit, where he received expert care from Professor Christos Toumpanakis, one of the leading international experts in that field. “Christos was fabulous,” Paul said. “So caring, thoughtful, funny and explained everything to me in an understandable way. He fought my corner on many occasions. I know I may not be here without his help and support"

The Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) unit at the Royal Free Hospital is a leading centre for the diagnosis and treatment of NETs, receiving referrals from across the UK and internationally.

As the designated NET centre within the North Central London Cancer Alliance, the unit offers personalised care, tailoring treatment to the unique needs of each patient. With a multidisciplinary approach, the service combines clinical expertise and cutting-edge laboratory research to optimise treatment outcomes. The NET unit works closely with the oncology department, conducting both clinical and basic science research trials focused on advancing the understanding of NET pathogenesis and improving treatment strategies.

Professor Toumpanakis’s said: “I am really grateful to Paul for his kind words. His favourable outcome is a result of the teamwork and individualised approach that our NET team offers to every single patient. The accurate assessment of his imaging studies during our NET multidisciplinary team meeting, conducted by our radiologists and nuclear medicine colleagues, made me suspect the presence of a different type of liver cancer (Hepato-Cellular-Carcinoma, HCC), that was co-existing with his pancreatic NET. Early diagnosis and subsequent optimal management by our expert HCC team had a significant positive impact on his overall prognosis.”

Paul also wanted to thank the HPB service, particularly Sophie Brown, HPB cancer clinical nurse specialist, who was his main point of contact during his treatment. “She was there whenever I, or my wife, needed her. I don’t think there was anything Sophie could not do.”

Sophie said: “To find out that Paul had been so kind to take the time to do this was a wonderful surprise. I’m so glad that our care has made such a difference to him and his family. It’s been my pleasure to look after him and my support for him continues, as he knows. It’s certainly a real boost to get such lovely feedback – and it really is a team effort.”