Oncology (Radiation)

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.

ConditionsConditions

There is no condition information for this clinic

Assessment and management of patients with cancer involving the use of radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern Region, Northern and North West Regions

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.

Emergency conditions

Emergencies: treatment required within 24 - 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.

Referral process

A referral (preferably faxed) is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians.

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:

Emergency

RHH: Contact the Radiation Oncology Registrar by page or via RHH Switch (03) 6166 8308

LGH: Contact the Radiation Oncologist on call via the LGH Switch (03) 6777 6777

NWRH: Contact the Radiation Oncologist on call via the NWRH Switch (03) 6493 6000

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 endeavour to see these patients within one week, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent / category 2

We will endeavour to see these patients within two weeks

Routine / category 3

Next available appointment

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

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.