Antonio Cubillo Gracián

36 years of experience
Location: Spain, Madrid
Clinic:Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro
Dr. Antonio Cubillo Gracián is a leading expert in oncology, with a strong focus on digestive system pathology and cancer research.
- Director of postgraduate research Master's degree in clinical and applied oncology
- Teaching experience in various oncology-related subjects at USP CEU
- Specializes in digestive neoplasms and oral/maxillofacial oncology
- Conducts international courses on digestive neoplasms at HM CIOCC
- Tutor for medical students and residents in oncology practices
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Doctor's visit

Price on request

Escarlata Lopez

34 years of experience
Location: Spain, Madrid
Clinic:GenesisCare Clinics

Package price from$1,147.54

Bookimed Insights: Top Rectal cancer Specialists in Spain (2026)

Bookimed has coordinated 8 requests for Rectal cancer treatment in Spain, collaborating with 2 top-rated specialists. The doctors in this table are selected based on their international credentials, clinical expertise, and patient outcomes. The 2026 ranking is formed using verified data from actual patient cases and current programs from our partner clinics.

Rank	Doctor	experience	Good Fit For	What Sets Them Apart	Clinic & Location	Consultation
#1	Antonio Cubillo Gracián	36 years of experience	Digestive neoplasms	Leading educator in oncology with focus on digestive system pathology. Director of postgraduate research in clinical and applied oncology at HM CIOCC.	Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro Spain	Price on request

FAQ

These FAQs come from real patients seeking medical assistance through Bookimed. Answers are given by experienced medical coordinators and trusted clinic representatives.

Who are some of the top-ranked rectal cancer specialists in Spain?

Top rectal cancer specialists in Spain include Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny and Dr. Carlos Ballesta Lopez, who pioneered the TaTME technique for minimally invasive tumor removal. These experts practice at JCI-accredited centers like Hospital Quiron Barcelona and Centro Médico Teknon, specializing in robotic-assisted and organ-preserving surgeries.

Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny. Leading surgeon who performed the world's first transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME).
Dr. Carlos Ballesta Lopez. Director with 45+ years of experience and 12,000+ successful laparoscopic procedures performed.
Dr. Lana Bijelic. Board-certified specialist focused on advanced abdominal cancers and cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC.
Dr. Antonio Cubillo Gracián. Oncology director at HM Sanchinarro specializing in complex digestive system neoplasms and research.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear trend where top Spanish specialists like Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny and Dr. Carlos Ballesta Lopez focus on 'natural orifice' surgery. They use techniques like NOTES and TaTME to remove tumors through natural openings. This approach avoids large external incisions, which significantly reduces recovery time and post-operative pain for patients.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize choosing multidisciplinary teams in Madrid or Barcelona to ensure surgeons and oncologists coordinate care. Many found that seeking a second opinion helped them explore organ-preserving treatments instead of rushing into surgery. They recommend bringing detailed MRI staging to consultations to discuss preserving bowel and sexual function.

Which cities and hospitals should international patients consider for rectal cancer treatment in Spain?

International patients should focus on Barcelona and Madrid, where hospitals like Centro Médico Teknon and Hospital Quiron Barcelona offer advanced TaTME and HIPEC procedures. These centers feature board-certified oncological surgeons who specialized under pioneers in peritoneal surface malignancies and robotic-assisted colorectal techniques.

Surgical innovation. Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny pioneered the world's first transanal rectal excision (TaTME).
Academic expertise. Dr. Antonio Cubillo Gracián leads postgraduate oncology research at Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro.
Advanced chemotherapy. Dr. Lana Bijelic performs HIPEC, which delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen.
Bariatric-oncology focus. Dr. Carlos Ballesta Lopez has performed 12,000+ laparoscopic surgeries using robotic Da Vinci systems.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients seeking minimally invasive options in Barcelona should note that specialists like Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny perform 1,000+ interventions annually. This high frequency with specific techniques like TaTME often leads to shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. Choosing a director-level specialist who also trains other surgeons can offer access to the latest research-backed protocols.

Patient Consensus: Patients often feel relieved by the specialized care in Barcelona, noting that surgeons explain complex robotic procedures clearly. They appreciate the multidisciplinary approach where oncologists and surgeons work together to create a personalized recovery plan.

What advanced robotic surgical techniques do Spanish rectal-cancer specialists use?

Spanish rectal cancer specialists use the Da Vinci robotic system for high-precision, minimally invasive surgery. Pioneers like Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny at Hospital Quiron Barcelona world-premiered the transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) in 2009. Experts combine these robotic tools with HIPEC to treat advanced peritoneal cases.

TaTME technique. Surgeons remove low rectal tumors using a bottom-up approach for better pelvic access.
Robotic mesorectal excision. The Da Vinci system provides 3D high-definition imaging for precise lymph node removal.
HIPEC procedures. Specialists like Dr. Lana Bijelic use heated chemotherapy after robotic tumor removal.
Nerve-sparing surgery. Robotic precision helps protect urinary and sexual nerves during complex rectal resections.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Spanish specialists often hold unique dual expertise in both robotic systems and specific chemotherapy delivery. For example, Dr. Alfonso Garcia Fadrique participates in trial research specifically for robotic and HIPEC surgery. This combination allows patients to receive advanced surgical resection and targeted internal chemotherapy in one session.

Patient Consensus: Patients often feel relieved when specialists explain how robotic methods preserve anal function. They appreciate that these precise techniques lead to smaller scars and a much faster return home.

Do Spanish rectal-cancer specialists routinelylly accept international patients?

Yes, Spanish rectal cancer specialists routinely treat international patients. Many experts like Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny and Dr. Carlos Ballesta Lopez lead specialized centers in Barcelona that provide advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgery. These clinics maintain JCI accreditation and offer translators and administrative teams to coordinate care for foreign patients.

Specialized techniques. Dr. Antonio de Lacy Fortuny pioneers TaTME surgery to remove rectal tumors with higher precision.
Robotic assistance. Dr. Carlos Ballesta Lopez uses robotic systems to reduce recovery time and post-surgical pain.
Advanced oncology. Dr. Lana Bijelic performs HIPEC, which is heated chemotherapy applied directly during abdominal surgery.
Academic leadership. Dr. Antonio Cubillo Gracian leads oncology research programs in Madrid and trains international specialists.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients seeking treatment for complex rectal cancer in Spain can access rare specializations, such as peritoneal oncology. Specialists like Dr. Lana Bijelic and Dr. Domenico Sabia at Centro Médico Teknon focus exclusively on advanced abdominal spread. This focused expertise is often unavailable in general surgery departments and provides options for late-stage cases.

Patient Consensus: Patients found that having medical records already translated made the initial administrative process much smoother. They also noticed that private clinics respond more quickly to self-referred foreigners than the public system. Most emphasize that coordinating travel and scheduling was a bigger challenge than the actual medical care.

Best Rectal cancer doctors in Madrid: TOP 2 doctors

Get quotes from 3 top specialists in Spain