A career shaped by clinical practice, research and specialist oncology training.
Dr Vijay Agarwal completed his early medical training in India before moving to the United Kingdom, where he spent more than a decade in oncology training, research and consultant practice. His clinical experience included the Royal Marsden Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, specialist oncology training across Yorkshire and the Humber, and subsequently a Consultant Medical Oncologist position at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham.
He completed the UK Certificate of Completion of Training in Medical Oncology and is on the GMC Specialist Register. Alongside his clinical work, he completed a PhD in Medical Sciences at Hull York Medical School, formal postgraduate research training and a postgraduate qualification in clinical education.
After returning to India, he has held senior consultant and leadership roles in Bengaluru and is currently Professor and Lead Consultant in Medical Oncology at Apollo Hospitals.
Modern systemic cancer treatment, tailored to the individual.
Solid tumours
Management of a broad range of adult cancers including breast, lung, gastrointestinal, gynaecological, genitourinary, head and neck and other solid tumours.
Precision oncology
Selective use of biomarkers, molecular diagnostics and genomic information when the result can meaningfully influence treatment.
Immunotherapy & targeted therapy
Use of contemporary systemic treatments based on the biology of the cancer, the strength of the evidence and the patient’s overall clinical situation.
Complex decisions & second opinions
Careful review of diagnosis, staging, pathology, molecular results and previous treatment to help patients understand the options ahead.
A consultation designed to make difficult decisions clearer.
Cancer treatment often involves choices rather than a single automatic answer. Dr Agarwal places particular emphasis on helping patients understand what is known, what remains uncertain, the objective of each treatment, the likely benefits and the important trade-offs.
Evidence before assumption
Treatment recommendations are grounded in contemporary oncology evidence and clinical judgement.
People, not reports
Age, general health, previous treatment, quality of life and personal priorities matter alongside tumour biology.
Multidisciplinary thinking
Surgery, radiotherapy, pathology, imaging and other specialties are integrated when relevant to the treatment plan.
Honest conversations
The intention, limitations, alternatives and realistic expectations of treatment are discussed clearly.
Oncology experience across India and the United Kingdom.
Professor and Lead Consultant, Medical Oncology.
Lead and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology.
Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology.
Consultant Medical Oncologist, Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Appointments included the Royal Marsden Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Western General Hospital Edinburgh and the Yorkshire & Humber postgraduate oncology programme.
Research that keeps clinical practice connected to evolving cancer science.
Dr Agarwal has published extensively in peer-reviewed Indian and international journals and has presented research at international oncology meetings. His academic work has included translational cancer biology, mesothelioma, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, treatment decision-making and clinically relevant questions in modern oncology.
PhD research
His doctoral work at Hull York Medical School investigated the EGFR pathway and therapeutic targets in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
International publications
His work has appeared across respected peer-reviewed oncology and medical journals, reflecting a longstanding interest in evidence and research.
Teaching & professional forums
He has presented at international meetings and is regularly invited to participate in oncology lectures, panels and professional discussions.
A recognised voice in contemporary oncology.
Dr Agarwal’s role in cancer care extends beyond seeing patients. He is regularly invited to explain developments in oncology to professional audiences and to the wider public – translating complex changes in cancer treatment into language that patients and families can understand.
National media have sought his perspective on subjects ranging from personalised cancer treatment, immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates to cancer prevention, screening, lung cancer risk and the changing outlook for people living with advanced cancer.
Rather than treating media visibility as publicity in itself, we see it as part of a wider responsibility: to contribute to the conversation around cancer, challenge misinformation and help patients make sense of rapidly changing cancer medicine.
Scientific rigour, without losing sight of the person.
During Dr Agarwal’s leadership of the Tumour of Young Adolescents Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the unit received the Kate Granger NHS Award for Compassionate Care in 2014. That principle continues to inform his clinical approach: sophisticated medicine matters, but so do dignity, time, communication and the experience of the patient and family.