Cancer treatment increasingly involves medicines chosen according to the exact cancer type, stage and biological features of the tumour. These medicines are often called systemic therapies because they can travel through the bloodstream and treat cancer cells beyond one local area. The main groups used by medical oncologists and haematologists include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies and hormone or endocrine therapy.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care provides specialist cancer therapy planning and follow-up in Melbourne, with consultations at Northern Private Hospital in Epping and access to outpatient treatment pathways through Northern Private Hospital and Northern Health. Our specialists explain why a particular treatment is being recommended, what it is intended to achieve and how it fits with surgery, radiotherapy, supportive care or other cancer treatments.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care’s cancer therapy services include:
Anti-cancer medicines used across many solid tumours and blood cancers, either alone or in combination with other treatments.
Treatments that help the immune system recognise or attack cancer cells, including checkpoint immunotherapy and selected immune-based treatments for blood cancers.
Medicines selected because a cancer has a particular receptor, protein, gene change or signalling pathway that can be targeted.
Treatments that reduce or block hormone signalling in hormone-sensitive cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer.
The most appropriate therapy depends on more than the organ where a cancer began. Pathology, stage, receptor status, molecular or genetic testing, previous treatment, organ function and other health conditions can all influence the decision. In some situations, a biomarker identifies a highly specific treatment option; in others, the best evidence supports chemotherapy or a combination of treatment types.
Our oncologists and haematologists hold appointments across Northern Health and other major Melbourne cancer services and are involved in multidisciplinary care, research and clinical trials. This helps Northern Blood & Cancer Care connect local specialist care with tertiary expertise when a patient needs a highly specialised treatment, transplant pathway, cellular therapy or clinical trial.
Anti-cancer treatment is monitored throughout the course, not simply prescribed at the beginning. Blood tests, clinical review and imaging are used to assess safety and response, while doses or schedules may be adjusted when needed. Patients are also given clear advice about side effects that can be managed at home and symptoms that require prompt medical assessment.
Supportive care can include management of nausea, infection risk, blood-count changes, fatigue, nutrition, pain, lymphoedema, exercise and other treatment effects. Northern Blood & Cancer Care can address these issues through specialist care, hospital services and referrals to appropriate external providers when required, so supportive needs remain connected to the overall treatment plan.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care brings together a highly experienced team of haematologists, medical oncologists and specialist physicians, with consultations available at Northern Private Hospital in Epping.
Contact our team to arrange an appointment or discuss a referral.
