Suspected Upper GIT Cancer
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 South
North West
Statewide
This condition is treated in the General Surgery clinic
Pre-referral work-up
History
This includes pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatic cancer
All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:
- Onset of symptoms including explanation of diagnosis or suspicion
- Current condition especially weight loss and appetite
- List of medications and allergies
Tests
Tests required:
- CT
- FBE/LFT's
- Other blood tests pertinent to the organ involved if possible but should not delay the hand over
- Any other imaging that has been done
- Any endoscopy findings if done
Interim/GP management
To refer a patient with this condition, please see the General Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.
If you are worried about rapid progression of symptoms, severe pain, vomiting or bleeding, send the patient to Emergency Department.
Referral process: Contact Outpatient Clinics by phone on 6166 0000 prior to referral on patients with confirmed cancers so that the referral can be immediately booked into the next clinic for the appropriate doctor.
For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.
Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.
Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6777 6405 Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120 Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100 Fax: (03) 6173 0489
Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.
For urgent referrals call the RHH switch on 6166 8308 and ask for the nurse in charge of surgical clinics or the relevant consultant to expedite the consultation.
We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.
We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks
Next available appointment