Surgical Oncology at Northern Health is provided by specialist surgeons who provide expert whole of journey holistic, culturally sensitive and supportive care for patients diagnosed with cancer. The surgeons work with patients, their carers and families at Northern Health hospitals and in the community.
The Surgery Oncology Services:
- Multi-disciplinary team of doctors, specialist nurses, pathologists, radiologists, allied health, interpreters provide optimal cancer care.
- Treats all common types of cancer such as breast, bowel, genitourinary (including kidney, bladder and testicular cancer), liver, lung, pancreas as well as other less common types of cancer.
- Care for patients at:
- Specialist Cancer Outpatient Clinics Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and Kilmore Hospitals
- Surgery Cancer Wards Northern Hospital Epping
- Hospital in the Home (HITH)
- Works in partnership with external cancer providers such as GenesisCare Radiation Oncology
What to expect from the service?
The Surgical Oncology Service runs multiple weekly outpatient clinics at Northern Health sites. Care is provided for a range of different cancer types. First appointment with a surgeon within days of GP referral for patients diagnosed with cancer and within two weeks for patients with highly suspicious lesions.ย Clinics are generally according to cancer type ie Breast, Gastrointestinal, Lung, or Genitourinary Cancer as well as less common types of cancer. Patients are seen by a specialist doctor (Surgical Oncologist) with the assistance of junior doctors, specialist Cancer Nurse Care Coordinators and Nurse Practitioners. A management plan, including alternatives, is discussed with you and agreed with you ensuring the treatment is suitable for you. It may include surgery (open, endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine therapy, radiotherapy, referral to support services such as allied health, exercise physiology, advance care planning, palliative care. The treatment is communicated to your General Practitioner. We work closely with Interpreter Services to support our culturally diverse community.
Your treatments may be given during a hospital stay, or as a day treatment either in the Oncology and Medical Day Unit or in the comfort of your own home if appropriate. In addition to clinic appointments, you may be supported by our Cancer Care Co-ordinators, 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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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.