Super Surgeons:
A Chance at Life
Series 2 now on Channel 4
The Royal Marsden’s surgical team is under the spotlight once again, with a documentary crew filming the second series of ‘Super Surgeons’.
Series two follows eight Royal Marsden patients as they undergo high-risk, complex surgeries as their surgeons push the boundaries of what is possible to try and save lives.
The four-part docuseries Super Surgeons will air weekly on Tuesdays at 9pm from 18 June 2024. All episodes will also be available on demand.
© Channel 4 / Michael Wharley
© Channel 4 / Michael Wharley
What to expect from Super Surgeons series 2
The Royal Marsden sees patients referred to us from hospitals across the UK for complex, innovative surgical procedures.
The show navigates the complex and difficult choices made by patients and their surgeons during advanced cancer treatment. For many of the patients in the series, this surgery is a last resort, when all other treatment options have failed. For some, this is the first surgery of its kind to take place in the UK.
But pioneering surgery comes with risks.
“Many of the most complex cases in the UK and beyond are referred to us.” says Professor Vin Paleri, who returns in series two. “We often see patients for a second or third opinion, who have previously been told no further treatment is possible but, at The Royal Marsden, that can change. These are unique patients who come in for cancer care. We have to come up with radically new plans to treat them and think outside the box. When it's the last roll of the dice, we have to take that chance to give people more time with those they love.”
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are pleased that Super Surgeons will return for a second series, showcasing the innovative work, often funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, carried out by our surgical team on a daily basis."
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Your support helps make our surgeons super
The series highlights groundbreaking work that would not be possible without the vital funds raised by the generous supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
The Royal Marsden’s surgeons are the focus of the series because of their reputation for pioneering surgical techniques that offer hope to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Your donations help to ensure our surgical teams can perform innovative procedures and conduct world-leading surgical research.
The research that takes place at The Royal Marsden leads to the development of new surgical techniques, and improvements to existing methods that are adopted by surgeons worldwide. This progress changes the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden, across the UK and around the world.
With 1 in 2 people expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, our teams need to continue to push the boundaries.
This would not be possible without the vital funds raised by the generous supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
With your support, we fund
Life-saving research that improves cancer surgery, and helps cancer patients across the UK and around the world.
State-of-the-art equipment and facilities that are essential for conducting advanced surgical procedures.
Your support is vital to ensuring we can continue to change the lives of people with cancer.
Your support helps make our surgeons super
The series highlights groundbreaking work that would not be possible without the vital funds raised by the generous supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
The Royal Marsden’s surgeons are the focus of the series because of their reputation for pioneering surgical techniques that offer hope to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Your donations help to ensure our surgical teams can perform innovative procedures and conduct world-leading surgical research.
The research that takes place at The Royal Marsden leads to the development of new surgical techniques, and improvements to existing methods that are adopted by surgeons worldwide. This progress changes the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden, across the UK and around the world.
With 1 in 2 people expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, our teams need to continue to push the boundaries.
This would not be possible without the vital funds raised by the generous supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
With your support, we fund:
Life-saving research that improves cancer surgery, and helps cancer patients across the UK and around the world.
State-of-the-art equipment and facilities that are essential for conducting advanced surgical procedures.
Your support is vital to ensuring we can continue to change the lives of people with cancer.
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
Episode 1
Episode 1 follows Anthea, who was diagnosed with sarcoma in her arm just a week after her eighteenth birthday, and 42-year-old Cameron as he undergoes surgery for testicular cancer.
Anthea
In 2022 Anthea was diagnosed with Sarcoma in her forearm. Faced with a possible amputation, which would derail her aspirations to become a midwife, she is referred to The Royal Marsden. Episode 1 follows Anthea and her surgeon Professor Andrew Hayes as he tries to precisely remove the tumour from amongst the delicate structure of nerves and muscles in her arm. A millimetre in the wrong direction could risk the nerves which control the function of her hand.
Read more about Anthea's story here
Cameron
Cameron has had a long journey with cancer after first being diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer in 2005. In 2017 he discovered his cancer had returned and spread to his spine and internal organs. The episode follows Cameron and his surgeon Professor David Nicol as he tries, against the odds, to surgically remove the tumour.
Watch the first episode now on Channel 4
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
Episode 2
Episode 2 follows Rich, a former Royal Navy Commander from Cardiff, and Tracy, a former nurse from Surrey, both of whom have been living with cancer for over 10 years.
Rich
After two other hospitals tell Rich they cannot operate on the large sarcoma tumour growing in his neck, Rich is referred to The Royal Marsden." Professor Vin Paleri and specialists from other NHS Trusts across London must come together to conduct a high-stakes surgery on Rich’s neck and carotid artery.
Read more about Rich's story here
Tracy
Episode 2 also follows Tracy, and her surgeon Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed, as she undergoes surgery for stage 4 bowel cancer after previous chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries have not managed to keep her cancer under control. Tracy's surgery is extensive and life changing, and may be hard for some viewers to watch.
"It’s been a year since surgery and I will be under surveillance for a few more years" says Tracy, "but, I am now cancer free and living my best ‘second’ life to the full, thanks to The Royal Marsden. Mr Rasheed and his colleagues are my heroes, and I will be forever grateful. I think that it’s important to get that message across to people, that despite such major surgery you can live a normal life.”
Read more about Tracy's story here
Watch the second episode now on Channel 4
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
Episode 3
Episode 3 follows Matthew a 74-year-old, grandfather with localised oesophagael cancer and Lauren, age 30 from Norwich who has an extremely rare cancer called myxoid liposarcoma.
Lauren
The episode follows Lauren, and her surgeon Mr Myles Smith, as she undergoes surgery for a very rare cancer called myxoid liposarcoma. The surgery is complex as Myles operates on the tumour which is close to vital blood vessels in Lauren’s leg.
“Cancer can be so daunting, especially I think for younger people” says Lauren. “Plus, I want to get the message out to anyone who may have found something, to listen to your body and get anything unusual checked out as soon as possible.”
Matthew
Matthew has had complicated journey with cancer. After first being diagnosed and treated for cancer 12 years ago, he comes to The Royal Marsden with a new growth in his oesophagus. The episode follows Matthew and his surgeon Professor Asif Chaudry as he performs surgery to remove the tumour from the junction between his oesophagus and his stomach.
Watch the third episode now on Channel 4
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
Episode 4
Episode 4 follows Dave, 66 from Bedfordshire and Jonathan, 48 who both undergo complex surgeries at The Royal Marsden in a bid to remove their cancers.
Dave
Following a trip to A&E with chest pains, retired postman Dave was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2023. After trying hormone therapy and chemotherapy, Dave has been referred to The Royal Marsden to explore surgical options. Episode 4 follows Dave and his surgeon Professor Nicol at The Royal Marsden as Professor Nicol conducts a radical nephrectomy in a bid to remove a large tumour from his left kidney.
“Everything got cracking when I was referred to The Royal Marsden" says Dave. "I met Professor Nicol who, there and then, booked me in for surgery just over a week later. While I felt nervous – I knew it could a be a five- or six-hour operation - but it was a relief something was happening.”
Jonathan
Episode 4 also follows Jonathan whose melanoma has spread to his oesophagus. With other treatments not working, his surgeon Professor Asif Chaudry must perform pioneering robotic surgery in a bid to give him more time.
Watch the fourth episode now on Channel 4
“When it's the last roll of the dice, we have to take that chance to give people more time with those they love.”
Professor Vin Paleri
Surgeons in the spotlight
Six Royal Marsden surgeons feature across the four episodes in series 2. Viewers may recognise both Professor Vin Paleri and Professor Andy Hayes as they return for the second series with four newly featured ‘super surgeons’: Professor David Nicol, Consultant Urologist and Chief of Surgery, Mr Asif Chaudry, Consultant Oesophagael & Gastric Cancer Surgeon, Mr Myles Smith, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General Surgeon and Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
The show would not have been possible without the work of the multidisciplinary teams across The Royal Marsden.
For every surgery, there is a wider team supporting the ‘Super Surgeons,’ including nurses, dietitians, junior doctors, anaesthetists, speech and language therapists among countless other professionals who play an invaluable role in the treatment and care of patients at The Royal Marsden.
On the rota
Images © Channel 4 / Michael Wharley
Professor David Nicol
Consultant Urologist and Chief of Surgery
Professor Andy Hayes
Consultant General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist for Sarcoma and Skin
Professor Vin Paleri
Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon
Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
Mr Asif Chaudry
Consultant Oesophagael & Gastric Cancer Surgeon
Mr Myles Smith
Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General Surgeon
“The team around me is always absolutely vital. For a complex operation, we might have ten people or more in the operating theatre. Every member of that team is essential to delivering a safe operation.”
Mr Asif Chaudry, Consultant Oesophagael & Gastric Cancer Surgeon
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
What might cancer surgery look like in the future?
From futuristic ‘soft robots’ to ‘remotely controlled’ operations and Augmented Reality, we spoke to six of The Royal Marsden's surgeons to find out more about what cancer surgery might look like in the future.
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
Q&A with Professor Vin Paleri
Meet The Royal Marsden’s Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon, Professor Vin Paleri, who features in series 1 and 2 of ‘Super Surgeons - A Chance at Life’. He talks to us about his role, robotic cancer surgery and what it’s like being part of the Channel 4 documentary series.
© Wonderhood Studios
© Wonderhood Studios
The Stories from Super Surgeons
Find out more about some of The Royal Marsden patients who feature in series 2 of Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life.
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When is series 2 of Super Surgeons on TV?
The four-part docuseries Super Surgeons will air weekly on Tuesdays at 9pm from 18 June 2024. All episodes will also be available on demand on Channel 4's website.
Where can I watch Super Surgeons series 1?
Filmed across a year, and first aired in 2022, Series 1 of ‘Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life’ followed eight Royal Marsden patients with advanced or relapsed cancers. All three episodes of Super Surgeons series 1 are currently available on demand via Channel 4's website.
Watch Super Surgeons series 1 on Channel 4 on demand
Who are the surgeons featured in Super Surgeons series 2?
Six Royal Marsden surgeons feature across the four episodes in series 2:
- Professor Vin Paleri, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon
- Professor David Nicol, Consultant Urologist and Chief of Surgery
- Professor Andy Hayes, Consultant General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist in the Sarcoma and Skin unit
- Mr Asif Chaudry, Consultant Oesophagael & Gastric Cancer Surgeon
- Mr Myles Smith, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General Surgeon
- Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
Where can I find information on cancer signs and symptoms?
You can find more information about cancer symptoms and treatments at royalmarsden.nhs.uk
If you are worried about symptoms you might be experiencing, we strongly encourage people to speak to their GP at the earliest opportunity.
If you have worries or questions about your treatment or cancer surgery, we encourage you to speak to your clinical team.
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