The Department

The Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine was established in 2003 following the restructuring of 30 Departments with the Medical School.  Prior to its conception, members of staff were working within the Departments of Oncology, Pathology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Urology, Radiology, Surgery and Biochemistry.  The heritage of some of these Departments goes back to 1975 when the Medical School opened at Leicester.

The Department is managed by a Board comprising senior staff members.  Research is developed and monitored by a Research Advisory Group (Chair: Dr G D D Jones) to ensure excellence in scientific research and good practice.

Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine has excellent laboratory and clinical facilities at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital, and in the Biocentre and Hodgkin Building on the main University campus.   Most cancer patients are diagnosed and managed in a modern purpose built cancer centre (the Osborne Building) on the Leicester Royal Infirmary site led by Professor Will Steward (Head of Oncology).  The centre contains operating theatres, a large chemotherapy suite, a modern radiotherapy unit and a clinical trials facility that runs both academic and commercial trials. 

The Children's Cancer Leukaemia Group are also part of the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and are an association of healthcare professionals involved in the treatment and care of children and younger teenagers with cancer, and underpins all the activity in paediatric oncology in the British Isles.

The Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine also houses the East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, which is based in the Robert Kilpatrick Building at the Leicester Royal Infirmary site, and Reproductive Sciences, which has clinical facilities at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital, and its laboratories in the Robert Kilpatrick Building.