Dr Alastair Thomson BM MRCP FRCR PGCME

Dr Alastair Thomson qualified as a doctor after completing his medical training at the University of Southampton in 1996. He gained medical and surgical experience at the Queen Alexandra Hospital (Portsmouth) and Dorchester/West Dorset Hospitals, before completing higher medical qualifications in London whilst working at Salisbury District Hospital.

His specific oncological experience
started at Salisbury District Hospital, before he progressed to work at the internationally renowned cancer centre in London, the Royal Marsden Hospital. He went on to complete his fellowship in the treatment of cancer whilst based at the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre and Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, before becoming a locum Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre. He accepted the post of Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro in 2005.

 

Medical qualifications (and what they mean)

Dr Alastair Thomson BM MRCP FRCR PGCME

BM- Bachelor of Medicine

An example of a medical degree that is required to become a doctor. Received from the University of Southampton in 1996.

MRCP- Member of the Royal College of Physicians

A higher medical degree, that could only be obtained after three years of medical experience, and involved a series of written and clinical (patient based) examinations. It is typically one of the requirements to become a Consultant in medicine in the National Health Service. Received from the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1999.

FRCR - Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists

An oncological (cancer treatment) degree. This or an equivalent is required to be able to work as a Consultant Clinical Oncologist in the UK. A minimum of five years oncological experience is required before this can be achieved, and a stringent set of written and clinical examinations must all be passed before the qualification is awarded. Received from the Royal College of Radiologists (London) in 2004.

PGCME - Post Graduate Certificate of Medical Education

A qualification that can be taken after an initial higher education degree. It focuses on improving education in medicine for both medical staff and patients. Received from the University of Bristol in 2007.

 

Awards

  1. 9th Clinical Excellence Award gained in 2017


Publications

This is a list of Dr Thomson’s work that has been published in peer reviewed medical journals. This means that other doctors and editors have deemed the work to be of interest and importance to other medical professionals and thereby suitable for publication in the medical literature.

  1. Prostate cancer: A guide for men who’ve just been diagnosed.
    Thomson AH, co-author.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, updated 2023

  2. Testosterone suppression plus enzalutamide versus testosterone suppression plus standard antiandrogen therapy for metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (ENZAMET), an international, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial.
    Sweeney CJ, Martin AJ, Stocker MR,… Thomson AH, …et al, Davis ID.
    Lancet Oncology, 2023; 24(4):323-334.

  3. A phase II trial of cemiplimab alone or in combination with standard of care chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer (EPIC trial). Rennison E, Challapalli A, Foulstone E… Thomson AH, …et al, Bahl A.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2022; 40(16) suppl.

  4. Serum thymidine kinase activity in patients with hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer treated with palbociclib and fulvestrant. Malorni L, Tyekucheva S, Hilber S,… Thomson AH, …et al, Regan M.
    European Journal of Cancer, Mar 2022; 164: 39-51

  5. Health related quality of life in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer: ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304), an international randomised phase 3 trial led by ANZUP. Stockler MR, Martin AJ, Davis ID, … Thomson AH, …et al, Sweeney CJ.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology, Mar 10 2022; 40(8): 837-846

  6. VinCaP: A phase II trial of vinflunine in locally-advanced and metastatic squamous carcinoma of the penis. Nicholson S, Torey H, Elliott T,.., Thomson AH, …et al, Pickering L. , …et al, Pickering L.
    British Journal of Cancer, 2022; 126: 34-41

  7. Overall survival of men with metachronous metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer treated with enzalutamide and androgen deprivation therapy.
    Sweeney C, Martin A, Stockler M, ..., Thomson AH, ... et al, Davis I.
    European Urology, May 21, 2021

  8. An analysis of survival in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer receiving enzalutamide with treatment breaks.
    Rowe M, Walter S, Hidayat A,... et al, Thomson AH.
    Journal of Clinical Urology, Feb 2021

  9. The use of intermittent enzalutamide dosing in the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
    Rowe M, Pollard A, Thomson AH.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2020; 38 (suppl ): abstr 81.

  10. Treatment options if your prostate cancer grows again after having hormone therapy.
    Thomson AH, co-author.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, 2020.

  11. Clinical progression is associated with poor prognosis whatever the treatment line in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer: The CATS international database.
    European Journal of Cancer, Jan 2020; 125: 153-163.
    Delanoy N, Hardy-Bessard AC, Efstathiou E..., Thomson AH, ...et al, Oudard S.

  12. A phase II trial of cabazitaxel as second line chemotherapy in relapsed locally advanced and/or metastatic carcinoma of the penis.
    Journal of International Medical Research, 2019; Oct; 47(10): 4664-4672.
    Challapalli A, Pearson S, Mitra A..., Thomson AH, ...et al, Bahl A

  13. Enzalutamide with standard first-line therapy in metastatic prostate cancer.
    Davis ID, Martin AJ, Martin RS..., Thomson AH, ...et al, Sweeney CJ.
    New England Journal of Medicine 2019; June 2 (381): 121-131.

  14. Docetaxel in castrate resistant prostate cancer, how timing of treatment and age of patient affect outcome.
    Mark F, Pollard A, Thomson AH
    Medical Research Archives 2019; 7 (5): 1-13.

  15. Timing of docetaxel chemotherapy and impact on outcomes in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer.
    Thomson AH, Pollard A, Mark F
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2019; 37 (suppl 75): abstr 28.

  16. Docetaxel in older patients for metastatic prostate cancer.
    Mark F, Pollard A, Thomson AH
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2019; 37 (suppl 75): abstr 187.

  17. Radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer.
    Thomson AH, co-author.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, 2019.

  18. Prostate cancer: A guide for men who've just been diagnosed.
    Thomson AH, co-author.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, 2018

  19. Sequencing of taxanes and new androgen-targeted therapies in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer. Results of the international multicentre retrospective CATS database.
    Delanoy N, Hardy-Bessard A-C, Efstathiou E, Le Moulec S, Basso U, Birtle A, Thomson AH, ... et al, Oudard S.
    European Urology Oncology 2018; 1 (6): 467-475.

  20. VinCaP- a phase II trial of vinflunine chemotherapy in locally advanced and metastatic carcinoma of the penis.
    Pickering LM, Tovey H, Elliott T, Burnett S, Cruickshank C, Bahl A, Kirkbride P, Mitra A, Thomson AH, ... et al, Nicholson S.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2018; 36 (suppl 15): 4514.

  21. Clinical progression at initiation of life-extending therapy (LET) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is associated with a poor prognosis: results of the CATS database.
    Oudard S, Delanoy N, Hardy-Bessard A-C, Le Moulec S, Umberto B, Birtle A, Thomson AH, ... et al, Efstathiou E.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2018; 36 (suppl 15): e17007.

  22. Real life treatment sequences and survival of men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving cabazitaxel in clinical practice across England.
    Birtle A, Bahl A, Butt M, ...et al, Thomson AH.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 2017; 65 (suppl ): abstr e573.

  23. Changing molecular profile of brain metastases compared with matched breast primary cancers and impact on clinical outcomes.
    Thomson AH, McGrane J, Mathew J, Palmer J, Hilton DA, Purvis G, Jenkins R.
    British Journal of Cancer 2016; 114 (7): 793-800.

  24. External beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
    Thomson AH, co-author.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, 2016.

  25. Clinical Oncology ST3 recruitment interviews - what's it really like?
    Thomson AH.
    Royal College of Radiologists Newsletter 2016; 120: 8

  26. Radiotherapy.
    Thomson AH, Beresford M.
    ABC of Cancer Care. Wiley. 2013.

  27. Recurrent prostate cancer. A guide to treatment and support.
    Prostate Cancer Charity Information Team, reviewed by Anyamene N, Baxter B, Baker H, Thomson AH, Woodward C, Prostate Cancer Charity Support and Information Nurse Specialists, Prostate Cancer Voices.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, November 2011.

  28. Metastatic spinal cord compression.
    Prostate Cancer Charity Information Team, reviewed by James N, McClurey P, Sharkey R, Thomson AH, Tuck F, Prostate Cancer Voices, Prostate Cancer Charity Support and Information Nurse Specialists.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity, February 2011.

  29. Type of breast cancer surgery and post operative clinical target volume-implications for radiotherapy planning. Thomson AH, Palmer J, Brown I. Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2011; 23 (3): S55-S56.

  30. Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. Prostate cancer: round up of studies presented at the Symposium.
    Tuma, RS. [Selected Thomson AH, Lewis PD, Thomas DC, Brooks KS study on clinical guidelines for docetaxel for publication in this review] Oncology Times 2010; 7 (5): 16-17.

  31. The effect on pelvic lymph node dose after reducing the internal margin of the planning target volume for bladder cancer.
    Thomson AH, Watterson A, Liddicoat A.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2009, 21 (10):787-788.

  32. Extended analysis of hypofractionated radiotherapy set-up parameters for breast cancer patients on the FAST trial.
    Thomson AH, Culley M.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2009; 21 (3): 279

  33. Primary cryotherapy with salvage external beam radiotherapy for locally recurrent prostate cancer.
    Thomson AH, Kulkarni S, Bahl A.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2008; 20 (5): 385.

  34. Effects of waiting times and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.
    Thomson CL,Watterson A, Pritchard C, Thomson AH.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2007; 19 (3): S47-S48.

  35. The views of oncology specialist registrars on non-clinical skills training.
    Thomson AH, Foy C, Benstead K.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2006; 18 (10): 781.

  36. Losing my touch- decline in self-reported confidence in performing practical procedures in Consultant Oncologists.
    Thomson AH, Foy C, Benstead K.
    Medical Teacher 2006; 28(5): e139-141.

  37. Management issues in the treatment of early stage testicular seminoma.
    Thomson AH.
    CME Cancer Medicine 2005; 3 (1): 05-08.

  38. Radiation pneumonitis following treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with CHART.
    Thomson AH, Jenkins P.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2005; 17 (2): S17.

  39. Use of telephone advice line for oncology patients.
    Thomson AH, Welch J, Benstead K.
    Clinical Oncology (RCR) 2005; 17 (2): 127-128.

  40. Brain metastases and steroid reduction after radiotherapy
    Thomson AH, Tomlinson MJ.
    Palliative Medicine 2004; 18: 665-666.

  41. Chylothorax after radiotherapy in oesophageal carcinoma.
    Thomson AH, Sivalingham S, Rajesh PB, Elyan SAG.
    Lancet Oncology 2003; 4: 703-4

  42. The frequencies of HLA DR genotypes examined in families with two or three generations of asthma.
    Standring P, Warner JA, Warner JO, Jones AC, Thomson AH, Howell WM. 
    Clinical Experimental Allergy 1995; abstract.

 

Presentations

This is a list of work that Dr Thomson has been involved with and that has been presented at clinical and scientific meetings. This means that other doctors and editors have deemed the work to be of interest and importance to other medical professionals and thereby suitable for presentation at these meetings.

  1. RBsig gene-expression signature in patients with endocrine resistant metastatic breast cancer treated with palbociclib and fulvestrant in the PYTHIA trial.
    Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Dec 2023.

  2. Genomic and intrinsic subtype correlates of serum thymidine kinase activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with palbociclib and fulvestrant in the PYTHIA trial.
    Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Dec 2023.

  3. Effects of enzalutamide on overall survival with or without early docetaxel, in participants aged less than 70 years versus greater than or equal to 70 years in ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304).
    Presented at European Society for Medical Oncology meeting, Madrid, Oct 2023.

  4. Use of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with cyclin D kinase 4/6 inhibitors to downstage inoperable, non-metastatic, ER positive, HER2 negative breast cancer.
    Presented at Royal College of Radiologists Annual Conference, Birmingham, Oct 2023.

  5. Trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in the UK: real world data.
    Presented at European Society for Medical Oncology breast meeting, Berlin, May 2023.

  6. Socioeconomic outcomes with ribociclib in patients with HR positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer (ABC) in UK real world settings.
    Presented at St Gallen Breast cancer Conference, St Gallen, Mar 2023.

  7. Axillary radiotherapy in selected patients with a pre-operative diagnosis of lymph node involvement is a safe alternative to axillary lymph node dissection.
    Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Dec 2022

  8. A phase II trial of cemiplimab alone or in combination with standard of care chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer (EPIC trial).
    Presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, Jun 2022.

  9. Updated outcomes in ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304), an international co-operative group trial of enzalutamide in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).
    Presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, Jun 2022.

  10. Haemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase in patients treated with docetaxel for metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer- impact on treatment intensity and clinical outcomes.
    Presented at Global Congress on Prostate and Bladder Cancer, Ghent, Oct 2021

  11. Serum thymidine kinase activity in patients with luminal metastatic breast cancer treated with palbociclib and fulvestrant within the PYTHIA trial.
    Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Dec 2020.

  12. The use of intermittent enzalutamide dosing in the treatment of metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, Feb 2020.
    This research also featured on www.renalandurologynews.com, Feb 2020.

  13. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a randomised phase 3 trial of enzalutamide with standard first line therapy for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC): ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304).
    Presented at European Society for Medical Oncology Meeting, Barcelona, Sep 2019.

  14. a) Overall survival (OS) results of a phase III randomised trial of standard of care therapy with or without enzalutamide for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC): ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304).
    Presented at plenary session American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, Chicago, Jun 2019.

    b) Overall survival (OS) results of a phase III randomised trial of standard of care therapy with or without enzalutamide for metastatic
    hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC): ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304).
    Presented at Medical Oncology Group of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, Canberra, Aug 2019.

  15. Timing of docetaxel chemotherapy and impact on outcomes in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, 2019.

  16. Docetaxel in older patients for metastatic prostate cancer.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, 2019.

  17. A Phase II trial of vinflunine chemotherapy in locally-advanced and metastatic carcinoma of the penis.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, Feb 2018.

  18. Real life treatment sequences and survival of men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving cabazitaxel in clinical practice across England.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, 2017.

  19. Upgrading and upstaging in prostate cancer: from prostate biopsy to prostatectomy in Cornwall, UK.
    Presented at 9th European Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers, Barcelona, Nov 2017.

  20. Automated VMAT planning in prostate cancer patients using a single arc simultaneous integrated boost technique: a feasibility study.
    Presented at European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Meeting, Turin, Apr 2016.

  21. Changing molecular profile of brain metastases compared with matched breast primary cancers and impact on clinical outcomes.
    Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Dec 2015.

  22. Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and their attitudes towards medical students and work experience students.
    Presented at Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, Jul 2015.

  23. Developments in radiotherapy for bladder cancer.
    Presented at World Cancer Congress, Xi'An, May 2013.

  24. Progress in cancer treatment.
    Co-chair at World Cancer Congress, Xi'An, May 2013.

  25. Type of breast cancer surgery and post operative clinical target volume-implications for radiotherapy planning.
    Presented at UK Radiation Oncology conference, Manchester, Apr 2011.

  26. Docetaxel for castrate resistant prostate cancer - clinical practice compared with the TAX 327 trial.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, Mar 2010.

  27. The effect of national guidelines on prescribing practice for docetaxel in castrate resistant prostate cancer.
    Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, Mar 2010.

  28. Extended analysis of hypofractionated radiotherapy set-up parameters for breast cancer patients on the FAST trial.
    Presented at UK Radiation Oncology Conference, Cardiff, Apr 2009.

  29. Is the incidence of malignant melanoma continuing to increase in the South West of the United Kingdom?
    Presented at the British Association of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Birmingham, Jul 2007.

  30. Effects of waiting times and chemotherapy on patients with glioblastoma multiforme.
    Presented at UK Radiation Oncology conference, Edinburgh, Mar 2007.

  31. Clinical factors influence the risk of developing pneumonitis following treatment of NSCLC with radiation therapy.
    Presented at American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology conference, Philadelphia, Nov 2006.

  32. Radiation pneumonitis following treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with CHART.
    Presented at UK Radiation Oncology Conference, York, Apr 2005.

  33. Losing my touch- Decline in self-reported confidence in performing practical procedures in Consultant Oncologists.
    Presented at Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Scientific Meeting, Liverpool, Sep 2004.

  34. Breast scar and tumour cavity visualisation using MR imaging in the conventional treatment position.
    Presented at European Cancer Conference, Copenhagen, Sep 2003.

  35. Acute radiation oesophagitis following treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy.
    Presented at 10th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Vancouver, Aug 2003.

  36. Specialist Registrars in oncology and practical procedures- frequency, confidence and role of teaching.
    Presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting, Royal College of Radiologists, London, Sep 2002.

  37. Inheritance of skin prick test sensitivities.
    Presented at the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
    Meeting, London, 1995.

 

Media

In 2011 and 2012 Dr Thomson worked as an adviser on 2 cancer story lines for the BBC Eastenders television programme.

In 2011 Dr Thomson appeared on BBC Radio Cornwall to help raise awareness of cervical cancer.

An article about a grateful patient under my care appeared in The Times newspaper on 1/10/09, " Cancer...tribute".

www.cornwallcancercare.co.uk was presented as a link on the BBC news website in 2009

A patient under my care wrote for The Cornish Guardian "I had health care "fit for the Queen"..." on 19/9/07.

In 2007 Dr Thomson appeared on the BBC Spotlight television programme to help raise awareness of melanoma and the importance of protection from the sun. This work also featured in The Sunday Telegraph newspaper on 8/7/07.