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Low-dose radiotherapy · Benign conditions

Treating the pain other specialists were told to live with.

Dr Richard Shaffer is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at GenesisCare and Founder & President of the International Society for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions (IORBC). A global expert in low-dose radiotherapy, he has treated more than 3,000 patients with non-cancer conditions including Dupuytren's and Ledderhose disease, osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, bursitis, plantar fasciitis and keloid scars.

Dr Richard Shaffer, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
  • Consultant Clinical Oncologist
  • Founder & President, IORBC
  • 3,000+ patients treated
  • In practice since 2011

Qualifications: BSc · MBBS · MRCP · FRCR

Areas of expertise

Conditions I treat, and where to learn more.

Each condition has its own dedicated practice site with treatment detail, outcomes and eligibility.

  • Dupuytren's & Ledderhose

    Early-stage radiotherapy to slow or halt the progression of cords and nodules in the palm and sole — often avoiding surgery altogether.

  • Osteoarthritis & Joint Pain

    Anti-inflammatory low-dose treatment for knees, hands, hips and shoulders when conventional options have run out.

  • Tendonitis, Bursitis & Keloids

    Targeted low-dose radiotherapy for persistent tendon and bursa inflammation, and to reduce the recurrence of keloid scars after removal.

    Site coming soon

Career

Fifteen years building a field that barely existed in the UK.

“Radiotherapy has been used for benign disease for a century. My work is making it accessible, evidence-led and properly taught.”
  1. Pre-2010

    Clinical Fellowship in Radiation Oncology

    British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver

    Advanced training in radiation oncology before returning to the UK to take up a consultant post.

  2. 2010

    NHS Consultant Clinical Oncologist

    Royal Surrey County Hospital · 2010–2019

    Nearly a decade as an NHS consultant at one of the UK’s leading radiotherapy centres.

  3. 2011

    Private practice founded

    Benign-disease radiotherapy

    Began offering low-dose radiotherapy for benign conditions privately — the start of 3,000+ patients treated.

  4. 2015

    Co-author, RCR guidelines

    The Royal College of Radiologists

    Helped write the UK’s national guidance on radiotherapy for benign disease.

  5. Leadership

    Medical Director

    Xstrahl

    Clinical leadership at a specialist manufacturer of superficial and orthovoltage radiotherapy systems.

  6. Founder

    Founder & President

    IORBC

    Founded the International Society for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions to connect clinicians worldwide.

Research & recognition

Published, peer-reviewed, and in the press.

View all research

Locations

Consultations in London, Guildford and Nottingham, with treatment at 16 centres across the UK.

Patient reviews

In their words.

4.92

★★★★★

29 verified reviews on Doctify