← Second Opinion Service

You’ve received a diagnosis.
Before any decision, make sure it’s the right one.

A second opinion is not doubt. It is intelligence. Dr Lawrence Okiror offers expert independent review of lung cancer diagnoses, lung nodule findings, and recommendations about lung surgery — with appointments available within 2–3 days. Virtual within 24 hours. Self-referrals welcome.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Dr Lawrence Okiror FRCS(CTh) FRCSEd(CTh) · GMC 6150382

Who should consider this

Patients told surgery is not possible. Patients offered surgery who want confirmation. Patients with locally advanced disease not responding as expected. Anyone uncertain about a recommended treatment plan.

Access

Virtual second opinion within 24 hours — no travel required for initial review. Full assessment of CT, PET, biopsy, and MDT records. International patients welcome. In-person within 2–3 days.

Expertise

Dr Lawrence Okiror FRCS(CTh) FRCSEd(CTh) — 153 lung cancer operations in 2024–25, career 1,000+. 99.59% operative survival rate vs 98.5% national (SCTS 2024–25). Written report within 48–72 hours.

1

Send your scans

Share your CT images and any existing letters or reports — by post, CD, or secure digital transfer.

2

Consultation within 2–3 days

In person at London Bridge Hospital, The Lister Chelsea, or Canary Wharf — or by video consultation.

3

Written opinion within 48–72 hours

A clear, detailed report — yours to keep, share with your existing team, or use to plan next steps.

The questions most patients
don’t ask out loud

Most people searching for a lung cancer second opinion are doing it quietly — often alone, often late at night — because something doesn’t feel settled. These concerns are common. You are not alone.

Will my doctor be offended?

No. Any surgeon experienced enough to manage lung cancer will expect patients with serious diagnoses to seek independent reassurance. It is a mark of good judgement, not a slight. If you feel this would cause difficulty, that itself is worth knowing.

Will it delay my treatment?

Not if done quickly. The review is completed within 48–72 hours. In many cases a second opinion has prevented a patient from proceeding with the wrong plan — saving far more time than it used.

Am I making too much of this?

You are not. A lung cancer diagnosis is one of the most significant medical events in a person’s life. Wanting to be certain before a major operation is not anxiety. It is intelligence.

Can this be kept confidential?

Yes. All enquiries are handled with complete discretion by Dr Okiror’s personal PA. You do not need to involve anyone else at the consultation stage. Many patients come alone.

What Dr Okiror Reviews
— and How

A second opinion at this practice is a thorough clinical review, not a rubber stamp. Every element of your case is reviewed personally by Dr Okiror.

1

Imaging — reviewed directly, not just reported

CT and PET scans are reviewed on screen by Dr Okiror — not just the report, but the images. The size and position of the tumour, whether a minimally invasive approach is realistic, and any features the written report may have under-weighted.

2

Biopsy results and tissue diagnosis

Where a biopsy has been done, results are reviewed in context. If no tissue diagnosis has been obtained, the options are discussed — including ION robotic bronchoscopy, which can reach and sample nodules deep in the lung without open surgery.

3

Fitness for surgery — properly assessed

Whether you are genuinely fit for an operation — and which operation — is not always fully answered elsewhere. Sometimes a patient has been told they cannot have an operation when, in fact, a less invasive approach makes it entirely possible.

4

Is the proposed operation actually right?

Is removing an entire lobe necessary — or would a segmentectomy preserve more lung with the same cancer outcome? The JCOG0802 trial (Lancet, 2022) and CALGB 140503 trial (NEJM, 2023) confirmed that for tumours under 2cm, segmentectomy is equally effective. Robotic lung surgery detail →

5

Written report

A full written summary within 48–72 hours. This can be shared with your existing surgical team, your GP, or your insurer.

Why This Second Opinion
Carries Weight

A second opinion is only as valuable as the experience behind it. Dr Okiror is based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust — the UK’s largest lung cancer surgery centre.

153

Personal lung cancer operations 2024–25

99.59%

Operative survival rate at GSTT vs 98.5% national (SCTS 2024–25)

71.3%

Of GSTT resections robotic vs 24% national average

6%

Wedge resections vs 14% national — more anatomical, lung-sparing operations

Dr Okiror holds the highest surgical fellowship qualifications in cardiothoracic surgery from both the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He leads the RCSEd Cardiothoracic Surgery Robotics Advisory Panel and examines candidates for both the UK and European surgical boards.

If your second opinion confirms surgery is the right step, you do not have to join a waiting list. London Bridge Hospital was the first private provider in Europe to offer ION robotic bronchoscopy in routine clinical practice. The complete pathway — from consultation to operation — can be completed in days. Lung nodule precision pathway →

Questions About
Lung Cancer Second Opinions

The most common questions patients ask when seeking an independent expert review of a lung cancer diagnosis or treatment plan.

Request a Second Opinion →

Or call Jo Mitchelson:
020 7952 2882

Do I need a GP referral for a lung cancer second opinion?
No. You can contact the practice directly. Appointments are available within 2–3 days at London Bridge Hospital, The Lister Hospital Chelsea, and Canary Wharf outpatients. Video consultations within 24 hours.
What should I bring to a second opinion appointment?
Your CT and PET scan images (on CD or digital transfer), any existing radiology reports, your biopsy results if available, and any treatment plan or letters you have received. If you have not yet had a biopsy, bring the imaging — the consultation will cover what should happen next, including whether ION bronchoscopy is appropriate.
Will my insurer cover a second opinion?
Many insurers — including BUPA, AXA Health, and Aviva — will fund a second opinion consultation. Check your policy in advance. The practice can provide a consultation letter for pre-authorisation. Contact Jo Mitchelson on 020 7952 2882 to discuss.
What if I have already been told I need a lobectomy?
This is one of the most common reasons patients seek a second opinion. The JCOG0802 trial (Lancet, 2022) and CALGB 140503 trial (NEJM, 2023) confirmed that for smaller early-stage tumours — typically under 2cm — a segmentectomy achieves equivalent cancer control while preserving significantly more lung. Dr Okiror will review whether this applies to your specific case. Robotic lung surgery →
Can I still have my surgery on the NHS after a second opinion?
Yes. A second opinion does not commit you to private surgery. Many patients return to their NHS team with additional clarity. The choice of where to proceed is always yours.
Can I get a remote lung cancer second opinion?
Yes. Video consultations are available to all patients who can share imaging digitally. A written report is provided within 48–72 hours. If surgery is subsequently required at London Bridge Hospital, the full pathway can be planned in advance of travel.

Ready for a clear answer?
Expert review, within days.

Appointments within 2–3 days at London Bridge Hospital. Video within 24 hours. Self-referrals welcome. All enquiries handled with complete discretion.

Request a Second Opinion → Lung Nodule Pathway

Jo Mitchelson, Private PA  · 020 7952 2882 · pa@lungsurgeon.co.uk

St Thomas' Hospital #1 UK · Guy's Hospital #2 UK · London Bridge Hospital #10 UK · Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals 2026

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