Simply Oncology

Cancer is daunting for both patients and for clinical teams. Dr John McGrane and Dr Michael Rowe are oncologists who want to break down the complex parts of cancer care into clear and simple sessions.

We will dive deep into the world of cancer research, patient stories and the latest cancer breakthroughs. Simply Oncology will have patient focused episodes along with episodes that allow anyone with an interest in oncology to stay up to date. We hope you join us as we unpick all parts of cancer.

May 2, 2026

Episode 100: In the Clinic - Adjuvant Therapy in Kidney Cancer - The Treatment Landscape with Dr Will Ince and Dr Naveen Vasudev

Adjuvant kidney cancer decisions need recurrence risk made visible. Use stage, grade, nodal status and recurrence-risk score before offering pembrolizumab, and state the uncertainty for non-clear cell disease rather than stretching clear cell trial data.

April 25, 2026

Episode 99: Fundamentals- Early stage melanoma with Dr Toby Talbot (Part 2)

Stage III melanoma decisions are harder than simply offering everyone adjuvant treatment. This oncology review is best for the trade-off between BRAF and MEK toxicity and immunotherapy toxicity, and for understanding why palpable nodal disease matters when neoadjuvant treatment enters the conversation.

April 20, 2026

Episode 84; In the Clinic - Discussing metastatic Oesophago-Gastric Cancer with Dr Lizzie Smyth

The oncology item is more specialist, but it gives a clinic checklist: request mismatch repair or MSI, HER2 and PD-L1 early, use CPS and TPS for squamous disease, and treat nutrition as part of metastatic oesophago-gastric cancer care.

April 18, 2026

Episode 98: Fundamentals- Treating early stage melanoma with Dr Toby Talbot (Part 1)

A changing mole or a new pigmented lesion matters here because the excision report drives almost every next step. Breslow thickness, ulceration, and nodal staging decide whether wider excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, follow-up intensity, or adjuvant PD-1 treatment enter the conversation.

April 10, 2026

Episode 97: Fundamentals - The Simply Oncology A to Z of oncology with Debbie Victor CNS

Keep this one for the broader reset. It clarifies adjuvant versus neoadjuvant therapy, reminds clinicians that palliative care still means active treatment, and brings attention back to everyday supportive care, including fatigue planning, bowel regimens with oral opioids, and venous access.

April 4, 2026

Episode 96: Artificial Intelligence in Radiotherapy - the ARCHERY trial with Professor Ajay Aggarwal

The pitfall is assuming that a large artificial intelligence literature means routine radiotherapy practice is already settled. This episode stays useful because it asks better questions about blinded review, workflow delay, cost, governance, and whether automation solves a real planning bottleneck.

March 27, 2026

Episode 95: PSMA Lutetium in Prostate Cancer part 2

PSMA lutetium belongs in specialist MDT selection for the right PSMA-avid metastatic prostate cancer patient, not as a universal next step. Review receptor expression, prior systemic therapy, xerostomia risk and local imaging or radiotherapy infrastructure before referral, because treatment timing and service readiness change suitability.

March 21, 2026

PSMA Lutetium

PSMA lutetium only helps when the scan and the patient match the treatment. Review PSMA PET with CT to avoid missing clinically important disease that is not tracer-avid, and monitor blood count, renal function and dry mouth or eye toxicity before each cycle.

March 7, 2026

Episode 92: Fundamentals - Discussing Pelvic Radiation Disease with Lisa Durrant

The trigger is rectal bleeding, haematuria or altered bowel habit years after pelvic radiotherapy. Start here for a practical guide to pelvic radiation disease, including toilet posture, loperamide, and when gastroenterology, urology or late-effects teams should be involved.

March 7, 2026

Episode 92: Fundamentals - Discussing Pelvic Radiation Disease with Lisa Durrant

New bowel or bladder symptoms months or years after pelvic radiotherapy should trigger consideration of pelvic radiation disease rather than automatic reassurance or recurrence alone. Routine symptom questioning, simple measures such as toileting posture and regular low-dose loperamide, and timely referral can change function quickly.

Want the full learning experience? MedPod Learn turns podcast listening into structured CPD with notes, MCQs and reflection.
Download the app to access full episode content and track your learning.