Dr Irene De Francesco is a consultant clinical oncologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, a position she has held since 2018. She is also an honorary senior clinical lecturer at King's College London. Dr De Francesco specialises in the treatment of skin cancer and colorectal cancer, with a particular focus on anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). She is proficient in advanced radiotherapy techniques, including Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), skin brachytherapy, and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR).

In addition to her expertise in oncology, Dr De Francesco is skilled in treating benign conditions with radiotherapy. These conditions include Dupuytren's Disease, Ledderhose Disease, and keloids. Her comprehensive approach to patient care ensures that she addresses both malignant and benign conditions with the highest level of expertise.

Dr De Francesco completed her medical training at Sapienza University Medical School in Rome, Italy. She further specialised in clinical oncology at Sapienza University and The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she worked as a research fellow for three years starting in 2016. During this time, she conducted significant research in anal cancer, focusing on modern radiotherapy techniques and the assessment and improvement of treatment-related toxicity.

Her interest in technical radiotherapy and advanced imaging techniques led her to the University College Hospital, where she joined the consortium for the European project INSERT. This project resulted in the development of an integrated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MRI system for assessing treatment response during and after chemo-radiotherapy.

In 2017, Dr De Francesco joined the Sarah Cannon Research Institute as a research fellow, where she gained extensive experience managing national and international clinical trials. She continues to have a strong interest in research and clinical trials, serving as the primary investigator for studies involving the use of radiotherapy and systemic treatment in skin cancers. She is also actively involved in clinical trials and advanced radiotherapy techniques for the treatment of anal cancer.

Dr De Francesco's dedication to her field and her patients is evident in her ongoing commitment to research and clinical excellence. Her work not only advances the field of oncology but also provides her patients with access to the latest and most effective treatments available.