Professional statement

Dr Richard Shaffer is a consultant clinical oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre London (Wimbledon) and leading radiotherapy specialist and clinical oncologist based in London and Surrey. He has a particular interest in using radiotherapy to treat benign (non-cancerous) conditions, including:


  • Dupuytren’s disease
  • Ledderhose disease (plantar fibromatosis)
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Keloid scarring
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Bursitis


He was the first doctor in the UK to treat patients with radiotherapy for:

  1. Osteoarthritis (hand, hip, knee, foot, elbow and shoulder)
  2. Tendinopathy (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, patellar tendonitis, and rotator cuff syndrome)
  3. Bursitis, including trochanteric bursitis, also known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS)


Dr Shaffer uses the latest radiotherapy technology to provide safe, effective care for these conditions.


He is co-author of the Royal College of Radiologists guidelines on radiotherapy for benign conditions, and led the English-language version of the most recent German guidelines. He also serves on the American Radium Society Benign Radiotherapy Working Group and co-authored the first American case series on radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.


Dr Shaffer is President of the International Organisation for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions. He is also the founder and CEO of RT-ABC, a global education company training clinicians in radiotherapy for benign disease.


He previously worked as an NHS Consultant in Clinical Oncology in Guildford for 10 years before moving into full-time private practice.

Clinics

  • Cromwell Hospital
  • GenesisCare, The Park Centre for Oncology
  • GenesisCare Birmingham
  • GenesisCare Bristol
  • GenesisCare Cambridge
  • GenesisCare Chelmsford
  • GenesisCare Elstree
  • GenesisCare Maidstone
  • GenesisCare Southampton
  • GenesisCare Windsor
  • GenesisCare Milton Keynes
  • GenesisCare Oxford
  • GenesisCare Portsmouth
  • GenesisCare Surrey
  • Cancer Centre London
  • Ergéa Clinic, Manchester

Credentials

Professional experience

  • 28 years of experience
  • Consultant Clinical Oncologist, BUPA Cromwell Hospital (present)
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Subspecialties

  • Hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis)
  • Patellar tendonitis (jumpers knee)
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Professional memberships

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists, Clinical Oncology
  • Member of Royal College of Physicians
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Education

  • FRCR Royal College of Radiologists (2006)
  • MRCP Royal College of Physicians (London) (2002)
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Teaching posts

  • Principal Lecturer in Radiotherapy Academy for Benign Conditions courses

Positions in organisations

  • President of International Organisation for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions (iorbc.com)
  • Medical Director for Xstrahl Ltd
View more

Publications and conferences

Languages spoken

  • English
Registration number: 4552635

Content

Health content

Other information

Reviews

Overall Rating

159 total reviews

4.9

All reviews are from real patients and have been verified by our Customer Service department to ensure they meet our guidelines. Rules of the service

137 reviews

4.9

Review this doctor
  • Would you recommend this doctor?
  • Treatment of the doctor
  • Treatment of the staff
  • Waiting time
  • Condition of facilities
  • Richard is very personable, helpful and honest. It's the 4th time I've used his services and recommend him highly.
    5 October 2026

    M.J.

    Verified patient
  • Dr Shaffer was exceptionally professional throughout my consultation. He addressed all my concerns, answered my questions thoroughly and thought carefully about advising me on next steps. Highly recommended.
    21 July 2026

    S.I.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation. Hearing that it made a positive difference means a great deal to the whole team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. With warm regards, Dr Richard Shaffer
  • Dr Shaffer has given me excellent advice and treatment plan in a very professional but friendly manner in a great location. I am extremely grateful for the improvement in my pain levels and hand function following the first course of low dose radiotherapy treatment and look forward to the next phase with renewed hope. I cannot recommend Dr Shaffer and his team highly enough. Many thanks.
    21 July 2026

    S.P.

    Verified patient
  • Very positive experience. I have already recommended a friend.
    9 June 2026

    S.B.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that it made a positive difference means a great deal to the whole team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist radiotherapy care for people living with benign conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. With kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer
  • I initially approached Dr Shaffer with concerns of developing arthrofibrosis following an upcoming surgery. When consulting with Dr Shaffer, he outlined two potential treatment paths for me, explaining the science behind each as well as the associated risks. He then brought my case to his international colleagues to best inform which of the treatment options was best. My treatment was a success and the team at Genesis Care are delightful. I highly recommend Dr Shaffer’s services!
    4 June 2026

    L.S.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that it made a positive difference means a great deal to the whole team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist radiotherapy care for people living with benign conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. With kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer
  • I initially had a consultation with Dr Shaffer for my Dupuytren's Disease at the Guildford Clinic and chose Milton Keynes to have my left hand treated as could stay with family. My little finger had started to contract and I could not hold anything in my left hand without suffering with pain in my palm. The treatment has halted progression and I am pain free . I have lost some reach across my hand. I knew there was a slight chance that it might not work for me but I am happy with the results.
    2 June 2026

    V.T.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
  • I received radiotherapy treatment for Ledderhose Disease on both feet at the Elstree clinic. It was easy to locate and there was parking on site. The clinic was clean and relaxing and the staff were so helpful. before my treatment I felt like I was walking on cobblestones and it was having a detrimental impact on my hip and knees, just a few months after treatment I danced at my nephews wedding. I can now enjoy walks in the countryside pain free, such a positive impact on my life.
    2 June 2026

    V.T.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
  • I had bilateral hand radiotherapy for long standing dupytrens contractures, the treatment was quick and painless. 6 years on ,my right hand remains in remission whilst my left has required further surgery, still a good outcome for me, recommended if you can afford it.
    28 May 2026

    B.C.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
  • I suffered with Duputrens disease for quite a few years and did seek advice rom other doctors who told me that my condition wasn't really bad for treatment, even though i considered it was as my hand hurt,so after contacting Genesis in Milton Keynes I was seen by Doctor Shaffer within a week or so and then I had my treatment at which very successful my nodules in my hand have virtualy gone, no pain, and my hand is straight. Excellent treatment from Dr Shaffer & all his staff, nurces.
    28 February 2026

    P.D.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and radiotherapy treatment. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com
  • Dr Schaffer provided excellent assessment and explanations of my condition. He showed me how to track the progression of my condition. He didn’t rush me to undertake radiotherapy treatment as not advisable yet. I’m grateful for his thorough examination and honest judgement.
    22 February 2026

    P.M.

    Verified patient
    Doctor's response -
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Dupuytren's UK. We're delighted to know that you were happy with your consultation and advice. Hearing that our approach made a positive difference means a great deal to our entire team. Our goal is to provide compassionate, specialist care for people living with Dupuytren's disease and related conditions, combining medical expertise with clear communication and empathy at every stage. Your feedback encourages us to continue delivering the highest standard of care to each patient we meet. Kind Regards, Dr Richard Shaffer www.dupuytrensuk.com

Treatments

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