Dr Shivan Sivakumar
Medical oncology
GMC: 7016509
Dr Shivan Sivakumar is an esteemed senior medical oncologist in Birmingham. He privately practices at the Harborne Hospital - part of HCA Healthcare. His expertise includes treating pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Dr Sivakumar is dedicated to finding new solutions for challenging diseases and has led numerous clinical trials and investigative studies.
Known for the quality of his patient care and his prompt responsiveness, Dr Sivakumar tailors’ treatment plans to individual needs and offers home-based chemotherapy treatments.
Dr Sivakumar holds an honorary consultant position in medical oncology at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is a clinical career development fellow in medical oncology at the University of Oxford. He also serves as the pancreatic cancer lead for the Sichuan University (West China Hospital)-Oxford University Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, an international collaboration aimed at improving cancer treatment.
He graduated from Queen Mary University of London with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree, and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 2014, he earned a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge. He completed post-doctoral studies in immunology and training in early phase clinical trials at the University of Oxford.
Currently, Dr Sivakumar is an honorary consultant in Medical Oncology at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. He previously served as a clinical career development fellow and honorary consultant at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, and his clinical training includes experience in Leeds, Wales, and Oxford.
As a research-active oncologist, Dr Sivakumar focuses on improving survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer. His work includes early diagnosis, conducting clinical trials, and identifying new therapeutic targets through studying the biology of the disease.
Dr Sivakumar chose Birmingham for its strong clinical expertise in pancreatic cancer, robust academic immunology program, and excellent access to patient samples. He treats patients with pancreatic, liver, and biliary tract cancers (HPB cancers) and oversees an active trials program in these areas. He is part of one of Europe’s largest oncology clinical practices for HPB cancers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which sees nearly 500 new patients annually.
Dr Sivakumar has secured several million pounds in funding from public, private, and charitable sources. His strong connections with the pharmaceutical industry have led to a significant collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb in pancreatic cancer research. He serves on several national committees and has received the 2020 NCRI Future of Research Award and the 2023 Royal College of Physicians Linacre Lectureship.
Dr Sivakumar continues to conduct research, with his findings published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. He is committed to advancing cancer treatment and improving patient care through his ongoing research and clinical work.
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Biliary tract cancer, which includes cancers of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma) and gallbladder, is a rare but aggressive type of cancer. The patient pathway from diagnosis to treatment involves multiple stages, each requiring specialised care and a multidisciplinary approach. In this informative article, leading senior medical oncologist Dr Shivan Sivakumar details why understanding this pathway can help patients and their families navigate the complexities of the disease and make informed decisions about their care.
Pancreatic cancer is a serious and often challenging condition to diagnose and treat. Understanding the patient pathway—from initial symptoms to treatment and follow-up - is crucial for patients and their families. This pathway typically involves several stages, including diagnosis, treatment planning and ongoing care. Here to provide a detailed look at this, is leading medical oncologist Dr Shivan Sivakumar.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and treat effectively. This malignancy's deep-seated location in the body significantly hampers early detection and diagnostic procedures. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms such as pain, weight loss, or jaundice manifest, the disease is often at an advanced stage. This delay in symptom onset is a major reason why pancreatic cancer has such a poor prognosis. In his latest online article, Dr Shivan Sivakumar gives us his insights.
D.
09/09/2023
A.M.
09/03/2023
Shiv is just amazing! He is kind & considerate and really supportive. He takes time out of his busy schedule to carefully and quietly answer all your questions. His advice is succinct and easy to understand. Highly, highly recommended!
R.S.
05/03/2023
extremely knowledgeable and helpful! best in his specialty.
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