Medical oncology is the specialty concerned with treating cancer using medicines that act throughout the body. These treatments can include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone or endocrine therapy. A medical oncologist also helps interpret pathology and staging scans, explains the likely benefits and risks of treatment, manages treatment side effects and coordinates care with the other specialists involved.
Our Melbourne medical oncologists manage a broad range of solid tumours, with particular expertise across:
Northern Blood & Cancer Care also provides medical oncology assessment for a range of other malignancies, including gynaecological cancers, urological cancers and selected skin cancers such as melanoma. Patients may also be referred when imaging identifies an unexplained bone lesion, liver lesion or lung nodule. These findings are not necessarily cancer, and specialist review can help determine whether further imaging, biopsy, multidisciplinary assessment or oncology treatment is required.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care provides specialist medical oncology consultations in Melbourne for patients with newly diagnosed, recurrent or advanced cancer, as well as patients concerned about a possible cancer diagnosis or those seeking a second opinion about cancer treatment.
Our oncologists hold clinical and research appointments across major Melbourne cancer services and participate in multidisciplinary care, helping ensure treatment decisions reflect both current evidence and the individual patient’s circumstances.
Modern oncology increasingly depends on the biological features of a cancer as well as the organ where it started. Biomarkers, receptor status and molecular or genetic testing can influence whether chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted treatment, endocrine therapy or a combination is most appropriate. The medical oncologist brings test results together with the stage of the cancer, previous treatment, other medical conditions and the patient’s priorities.
Treatment can be coordinated through Northern Private Hospital or Northern Health when clinically appropriate. Where radiotherapy, surgery, a specialised tertiary treatment or a suitable clinical trial is required, the treating oncologist can coordinate with the relevant Melbourne service while continuing to provide ongoing oncology care.
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.
