Professor Tom Crosby, leading Welsh cancer specialist, dies

Professor Tom Crosby OBE, a leading cancer specialist who helped shape services across Wales, has died, Velindre University NHS Trust has announced.

Crosby was a consultant clinical oncologist at Velindre Cancer Service and a specialist in upper gastrointestinal cancer. The trust did not state his age or cause of death.

A national role

He held leadership roles in the Wales Cancer Network and served as National Cancer Clinical Director. Velindre said he led work on national cancer delivery and improvement plans and the Single Cancer Pathway, while helping to transform oncology services in south-east Wales.

His research included serving as chief investigator on the UK multicentre SCOPE trial and the studies that followed it. He also co-led the national oesophago-gastric cancer audit and helped establish the Cardiff FRCR Course for Clinical Oncology.

Crosby was an honorary professor at Cardiff University. He was awarded an OBE for services to cancer services in Wales and the UK in 2019.

Tributes from colleagues

Velindre chief executive Carl James called Crosby an “inspirational leader” whose legacy would be felt for many years. Medical director Jaz Abraham said he was an outstanding clinician, leader, colleague and friend whose loss would be felt across the wider cancer community.

Velindre also remembered Crosby's support for its charity. He gave his time to fundraising bike rides and other activities for patients, families and services.

The trust said its thoughts were with his family, friends, colleagues, patients, co-fundraisers and everyone who knew and worked with him.