Gynaecologic Oncology
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for timely assessment and management of women with gynaecologic malignancies including those that are suspected or at high risk for development. Advanced pelvic surgery for benign gynaecologic disease.
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.
Availability
Emergency conditions
Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):
- Heavy frank bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Ureteric obstruction
Emergency care
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Scope
For breast cancer please refer to the surgical breast cancer clinic
For follow up of abnormal pap smears see colposcopy clinic
Referrals are accepted statewide for:
- Women with a suspected or proven gynaecological cancer
- Women with a suspicion of a gynaecological invasive cancer on a pap smear, or clinical, or radiological examination
- Women with malignant ascites. Tubal or ovarian malignancy is the number one cause of newly diagnosed malignant ascites in women
- Women with breast cancer requiring therapeutic oophorectomy
- Women with a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer or women who are carriers of mutations putting them at high risk for gynaecological cancer (BRCAI & II and Lynch II mutation carriers) requiring advice and management
- Women requiring the expertise of advanced pelvic surgeons for gynaecological conditions benign and malignant
Biopsy can be performed by Clinic, if not done prior to referral.
Management can include the use of colposcopy and CO2 laser.
Long term survivors of multimodality cancer treatment with complications from this, or their cancer, may benefit from referral to Oncology Late Effects Clinic.
Referral process
A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in all THS regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.
Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines.
Clinic Appointments:
Please fax referral to appropriate clinic as above noting the following:
- Women with a suspect or proven gynaecologic malignancy will be seen within 1-2 weeks of receiving the referral
For women presenting with newly suspected malignant ascites possibly due to a gynaecological malignancy, contact with the services Consultants via the Royal Hobart Hospital Switch or their Secretary (Phone: 03 6166 8049) will ensure prompt attention. On occasion admission for prompt investigation is the optimal management.
Where available, eReferral via HealthLink smart forms is now the preferred and only secure method of referral to the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Clinic appointments
Urgent (Category 1)
We will endeavour to see urgent referrals for women with a suspected or proven gynaecologic malignancy within one to two weeks. If you have any trouble obtaining an urgent appointment please contact our secretary on 03 6166 8049.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
Women will be given an appointment between one to eight weeks depending upon reason for referral.
Additional information
There is a cervical cancer vaccination and screening program for women. Unfortunately there is no available screening test for tubal, ovarian or endometrial cancer.
- Clinical Best Practice: Gynaecological Cancers
- Advice about familial aspects of breast cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer
- Familial Risk Assessment FRA-BOC
Consumer information
- Cancer Australia: Information for women regarding all gynaecological cancers.
- Cancer Council Tasmania: Provides information on local services available to people affected by cancer.
- Canteen: For young people living with cancer and information for young people whose parent or primary carer has been diagnosed with cancer.
- Gynaecological Cancer Support: Provides emotional support to women, carers and families plus information about disease and current treatments.
- Jean Hailes Foundation: Website devoted to women's health and well-being with comprehensive information about menopause.
- Ovarian Cancer Australia: Information for women and others personally affected by ovarian cancer.