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Oncology (Radiation)
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for the assessment and management of patients with cancer involving the use of radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy).
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
North West
North West Regional Hospital
North West Cancer Centre
Radiation Oncology
Phone: 03 6493 6031
Fax: 03 6464 1904
Medical Oncology/Haematology
Phone: 03 6493 6058
Fax: 03 6464 1904
Mersey Community Hospital
Mersey Oncology and Day Procedure Unit
Phone: 03 6478 5370
Fax: 03 6464 1904
South
Royal Hobart Hospital (Level 1, A Block)
W.P. Holman Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 8000
Fax: 03 6173 0405
Emergency conditions
Emergencies: treatment required within 24 to 48 hours
Any condition that poses a risk of imminent death or permanent disability that has the potential to be reversed by immediate radiation therapy includes: spinal cord compression, tracheal or airway obstruction, significant bleeding or haemorrhage, rapidly growing orbital or ocular tumours.
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
Most patients have a diagnosis of cancer prior to referral to a Radiation Oncologist.
Radiation Oncologists participate in multi-disciplinary meetings to discuss patient management with other relevant specialists.
Radiation Therapy is primarily used in the treatment of solid tumours (non-haematological) but may be used in the treatment of some haematological tumours.
Certain benign conditions may also be treated with radiotherapy. e.g. dupuytrens contracture, keloids.
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 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.
Referrals are registered and triaged by the Consultant when they are next in clinic or by telephone.
Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment.
Clinic Appointments - Appointments are based on clinical priority:
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)
Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment and the referral must be faxed.
We will try to see these patients within one week, or sooner if clinically indicated.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
We will try to see these patients within two weeks.
Routine (Category 3)
Next available appointment.
Additional information
Primary conditions treated with radiation therapy include:
- Head and neck cancer
- Primary lung cancer, including NSCLC, SCC and large cell, and SCLC
- Oesophagus (SCC and adenocarcinoma) cancer
- Cervix cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- SCC skin in immunosuppressed patients
- Rectal cancer
- Sarcoma
- Anal canal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer (includes patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy)
- Bladder cancer
- Brain tumours
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- SCC and BCC of skin
Radiation therapy may also be used in the treatment of metastatic or secondary disease including:
- Bone metastases
- Brain metastases
- Other visceral metastases (liver, adrenal)
- Nodal and subcutaneous metastases
- Palliative oesophageal tumours
- Abdominal masses e.g. nodes, pancreatic tumours
Other conditions include:
- Benign tumours which are malignant by virtue of position e.g. meningioma
- Benign conditions which are not malignant by virtue of site e.g. keloid
Please visit Northern Cancer Service website.
For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.
