Lung Cancer Medical Oncologists in Melbourne
Lung cancer treatment has changed substantially with the development of molecularly targeted medicines and immunotherapy. The first step is to establish the exact type and stage of cancer. Most lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers, which include adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, while a smaller proportion are small cell lung cancers. Treatment can involve surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy or a combination, depending on stage, tumour biology and the patient’s overall health.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care provides medical oncology consultations in Melbourne for people with suspected, newly diagnosed, recurrent or metastatic lung cancer. The oncologist reviews pathology and imaging, determines whether additional molecular testing is required and works with respiratory physicians, thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists and radiologists to coordinate treatment.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated that around 15,100 lung cancers would be diagnosed in Australia in 2025, making it the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer. Lung cancer was also estimated to cause around 9,000 deaths in 2025, more than any other cancer. Outcomes have improved over time, and modern treatment increasingly depends on accurate staging, pathology and molecular testing.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for most lung cancers. Early-stage disease may be treated with surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy, sometimes followed by chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted treatment depending on the pathological and molecular features. Locally advanced disease is often managed with combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while metastatic disease is treated systemically. For non-squamous NSCLC in particular, broad molecular testing can identify actionable alterations such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, KRAS or others, which may allow treatment with a targeted oral medicine.
Small cell lung cancer behaves differently from NSCLC and tends to grow and spread more quickly. It is commonly treated with chemotherapy, often combined with immunotherapy, and radiotherapy may form part of treatment for limited-stage disease. Because the cancer can respond rapidly but also recur, follow-up and symptom management are important. Treatment choices consider fitness, lung function and the extent of disease.
A lung nodule is not the same as a diagnosis of lung cancer. Many nodules are benign and can relate to old infection, inflammation or scar tissue. Assessment considers nodule size, growth, appearance, smoking history and other risk factors. CT surveillance, PET imaging, bronchoscopy or image-guided biopsy may be recommended. Medical oncology is usually involved once cancer has been confirmed or when imaging strongly suggests advanced malignancy, while respiratory and radiology specialists often lead the initial nodule work-up.
Staging commonly uses CT and PET/CT, with brain imaging in selected patients. Tissue diagnosis is important because the histological subtype and molecular profile directly influence treatment. If tissue is limited, blood-based circulating tumour DNA testing may sometimes complement biopsy testing, but it does not replace tissue in every situation.
Many people with lung cancer also have chronic lung or cardiovascular disease, so treatment decisions consider more than cancer stage. A medical oncologist weighs the likely treatment benefit against risks such as infection, pneumonitis, neuropathy or immune-related side effects and works with other physicians to optimise coexisting conditions.
Systemic options include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Supportive treatment is equally important and may address breathlessness, pain, appetite, fatigue and treatment side effects. Early involvement of palliative care can improve symptom support and does not mean active cancer treatment has stopped.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care offers local specialist review for Melbourne’s northern community with access to day oncology services through Northern Private Hospital and Northern Health. Where a patient requires highly specialised thoracic procedures, radiotherapy or a clinical trial, the treating oncologist can coordinate referral while continuing to provide oncology oversight.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care brings together Melbourne specialists with complementary clinical, hospital and research appointments. The clinicians most closely associated with this service include:
Modern lung cancer care increasingly depends on accurate pathology, molecular testing and thoughtful selection of chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted treatment. Northern Blood & Cancer Care’s medical oncologists provide personalised systemic treatment planning and coordinate with respiratory, thoracic, radiation oncology and tertiary services when additional specialist care is required.
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.
