The Medical Oncology Unit Oncology is a specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer using drug therapies. Medical Oncologists works with patients, and their families and carers, to provide the best possible cancer outcomes in a holistic and culturally sensitive way.
The Medical Oncology Service:
- Multi-disciplinary team of doctors and specialist nurses
- Treats all common type of cancer such as breast, bowel, genitourinary, liver, lung, gastro-oesophageal and pancreas as well as less common types of cancers including gynaecological
- Provides different types of care:
- Outpatient Clinics at Northern Hospital Epping and Craigieburn Community Hospital
- Inpatient care (Northern Hospital Epping)
- Day treatment at both Oncology and Medical Day Unit (Northern Hospital Epping) and Infusion Centre (Northern Specialist Care)
- Urgent care through Symptom Urgent Review Clinic (SURC)
- In some situations, in your home through Northern Oncology and Haematology @Home (NOAH@H)
- Works in partnership with other specialities involved in the care of patients with cancer, and external providers such as GenesisCare Radiation Oncology
What to expect from the service?
The Medical Oncology Unit provides cancer care for most types of cancer. Specialist outpatient clinics run daily with certain cancer types being seen on particular days. If we are not able to provide the necessary care at Northern Health, we will assist in organising it at another health service. Patients are seen by a specialist doctor (Medical Oncologist) with the assistance of doctors-in-training, Cancer Care Coordinators and Nurse Practitioners. Please note that you may not always see the same specialist at each clinic appointment. A cancer management plan will be developed according to your needs and preferences, often following a review in a Cancer Multi-Disciplinary Meeting with other types of specialist doctors who also provide cancer care. This may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine therapy, radiotherapy, surgery (open, endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic), as well a referral to required support services which may include psychology, exercise physiology, advanced care planning and palliative care. Your treatment plan will be organised and the plan communicated to your General Practitioner. We work closely with Interpreter Services when needed to support our culturally diverse community.
Treatments that are given by injection or infusion, such as chemotherapy, are usually given as a day treatment Oncology and Medical Day Unit.
In addition to outpatient clinic and treatment appointments, you may be supported by Cancer Care Coordinators, the nurses in the Symptom Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) according to eligibility criteria, and by your GP. You can also access urgent care 24 hours a day through Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and the Emergency Department at Northern Hospital Epping.
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Resources
General information about cancer and treatment plans
Information specific to your cancer and treatment plan will be provided to you by your treating doctor but is also available through the Library and Information Service.