American-Australian trained oncologist
Treatment and advanced diagnostic options at your fingertips, delivered
by an experienced and compassionate Melbourne oncologist for the most important cancer: Your cancer
Expertise in oncology
Dr De Silva is an Australian- and American-trained medical oncologist with broad international experience across four continents, including Europe and South Asia. He completed advanced clinical and research fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, one of the world’s leading cancer centres, with a strong focus on cancer biology and precision-based treatments.
He is actively involved in national cancer genetics programs and is committed to integrating genomic insights into everyday cancer care.
Where appropriate, Dr De Silva prioritises targeted or immune-based therapies over conventional chemotherapy. He remains deeply engaged in research and contributes to multiple projects aimed at improving outcomes and personalising cancer treatment.
Melbourne oncologist for the most important cancer: Your cancer
Dr De Silva specialises in genomics-driven care for breast, lung, and urological cancers. These cancers often benefit from detailed molecular testing, allowing treatment to be tailored using targeted or immune- based therapies when appropriate, rather than relying on conventional chemotherapy alone.
Oncology Services
Offers specialist expertise in genomics-driven cancer care, Dr De Silva provides comprehensive medical oncology services across breast, lung, and urological cancers.
This includes the use of targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and personalised treatment strategies guided by tumour biology and genetic testing
Dr De Silva provides specialist guidance in genomic testing and precision cancer care. By analysing the biology of each cancer, he helps match patients to targeted or immune-based treatments where appropriate, aiming to personalise therapy and avoid unnecessary chemotherapy when possible.
Lung cancer treatment has been transformed by targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Dr De Silva helps patients navigate modern lung cancer care, including molecular testing to identify actionable targets and the use of immune therapies that can achieve durable responses, even in advanced disease.
Dr De Silva offers specialist medical oncology care for prostate and other urological cancers. Genomic testing and modern systemic therapies play an increasing role in treatment selection, allowing care to be tailored beyond traditional hormone therapy or chemotherapy alone.
Breast cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells within the
breast. It is one of the most common cancers in women and can vary
widely in how it behaves and responds to treatment. Today, breast cancer care is highly personalized, and early assessment by a breast cancer specialist plays a key role in achieving the best outcome. Treatment may involve surgery, targeted therapies before or after surgery, or a combination of approaches, depending on the type and stage of the cancer.
For consultation, Dr De Silva can guide you through the complex world of multidisciplinary cancer care
Bladder cancer is characterised by the abnormal growth of cells lining the bladder and is one of the few cancers where early medical treatment can significantly improve long-term outcomes. In selected patients, particularly those with more invasive disease, treatment with chemotherapy — and in some cases targeted therapy — before surgery can reduce the risk of recurrence and improve survival.
Bladder cancer has some of the strongest clinical evidence supporting this approach, making early specialist assessment especially important. Identifying who is most likely to benefit from systemic treatment before surgery is a key part of modern bladder cancer care.
For consultation, Dr Dilanka De Silva can help guide you through multidisciplinary bladder cancer care and ensure treatment decisions are made at the right time, using the most effective evidence-based strategies.
Why Choose Dr De Silva?
He is committed to providing personalised, biology-driven cancer care,
always exploring modern and non-conventional treatment options that
may offer effective control with fewer side effects.
With international training, board certification in Australia and the United
Kingdom, and advanced fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center, Dr De Silva is a highly experienced Melbourne medical
oncologist.
If you are seeking evidence-based, personalised cancer care delivered
through metropolitan tertiary hospitals and informed by active research
and publications, a consultation with Dr De Silva is for you.
Dr De Silva is deeply committed to a holistic approach to cancer care,
integrating evidence-based lifestyle strategies alongside modern
medical treatment.
This includes a strong focus on nutrition, physical activity, and metabolic
health as part of overall cancer prevention and wellbeing. He personally
incorporates daily exercise into his routine.
Through this integrated approach, Dr De Silva aims to support cancer
prevention and long-term health alongside genomics-driven cancer care.
Best possible care for your cancer:
If you have received a cancer diagnosis, holistic, compassionate specialist care awaits you. Dr De Silva supports patients across Melbourne in navigating complex cancer care, including modern systemic treatments, genomic testing, and coordinated multidisciplinary decision-making.
As a medical oncologist, Dr De Silva consults privately across metropolitan Melbourne and works closely with major tertiary hospitals and cancer centres. This allows timely assessment, careful treatment planning, and seamless coordination of care when it matters most.
You are welcome to contact Dr De Silva’s practice to discuss your concerns or to enquire about appointments for urgent or complex cancer issues.
Insights
HIPEC for stage 4 colon cancer: could this major operation actually help me? | Dr Dilanka De Silva
A 42-year-old lawyer. No bowel symptoms. No family history. Yet her first diagnosis was already stage 4 colon cancer. Unfortunately, this can happen. This patient
If you had to have stage IV lung cancer, is ALK-positive the best type to have? | Dr Dilanka De Silva
A diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer is devastating. But not all lung cancers behave in the same way—and today, the molecular result can be
The lung nodules were PET-negative—but they were still growing | Dr Dilanka De Silva
A patient once asked me: “If the PET scan is negative, doesn’t that mean it cannot be cancer?” Unfortunately, not always. A PET-negative lung nodule
What if your lung cancer has a treatment hidden in its DNA? | Dr Dilanka De Silva
When someone is diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, one of the most important questions is not simply: “What type of lung cancer is this?” It
Not all PET scans are the same: why the tracer matters | Dr Dilanka De Silva
“Why do I need an FDG PET scan when someone else with cancer had a PSMA PET?” It is a very reasonable question. We often
Stage IV kidney cancer: should you have the kidney removed? | Dr Dilanka De Silva
“If the cancer started in the kidney, shouldn’t we just remove the kidney?” It sounds logical. But in Stage IV kidney cancer, the answer is