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Oncology Services | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai

Public Service, Oncology

Description

Our service is part of the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland District Health Board.  Our teams are specialists in providing care in haematology, medical oncology and radiation oncology. We are here to ensure that you get the best care with the best possible outcome for you and your whānau. This video is here to introduce all of our services to you.

 

What is Oncology?
Oncology is the area of medicine to do with treatment of cancer. Many different specialties manage cancer treatment. Surgery (Surgical Oncology) uses operations to diagnose cancer and treat it by removing it from people's bodies. Medical Oncology uses medicines or drugs  to treat solid tumours such as cancer of breast, bowel, and lung. Radiation Oncology uses radiation, mostly from powerful x-ray machines, to treat tumours. Haematology (Haemato-Oncology) treats tumours of blood such as leukaemia and lymphoma. Palliative Care uses medicines to control the symptoms of cancer to alleviate any suffering.

All these specialties work closely together at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service or they are part of ADHB. Sometimes cancer treatment may involve more than one specialty team depending on your type of cancer and its extent. Much cancer can be cured nowadays or controlled, but because there is still a long way to go, we are also involved with Clinical Trials research in search of better ways of treatment. We work closely with organisations such as the Cancer Society to ensure that people who come to our service have access to information and community support services.

The staff of the Oncology Service includes specialist doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, physicists, psychologists, clerical staff and social workers. We know that cancer's impact on peoples' lives is often more than just physical. As a teaching hospital, we also have the next generation of professionals in training. There is always supervision from experienced staff.

What is Cancer? 
The human body is made of millions of cells which normally grow, divide and are renewed in a controlled way. Sometimes this control is lost, and the cells keep growing. A solid group of these cells is called a tumour or "growth".

Tumours can be benign (grows in one place but does not travel to different parts of the body) or malignant (invades locally and travels to different parts of the body). Malignant tumour cells may travel through the lymphatic system (the body’s drainage system) to lymph nodes or through blood to other parts of the body. These cells can then multiply to make secondary growths.  If this happens the cancer is called metastatic.

Cancer is not contagious, it cannot spread to family or friends. Sometimes, however, people can share the causes of cancer, such as smoking or genetic risks.

Consultants

Referral Expectations

Usually referral to the Cancer Service is by letter from another doctor, such as a GP or surgeon. One of our consultant oncologists will read through the letter, and ask our clerical staff to book an appointment taking account of the urgency of the condition.

When you come to Oncology Outpatients you will be seen by a member of the Oncology Team who will ask questions about your illness, examine you, and discuss the management of your condition. We encourage people to bring a family member or other support person to sit in on their visit.

Procedures / Treatments

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses specialised medicines to kill cancer cells. These medicines spread throughout the body (systemic treatment) and so can treat cancer cells in most places. Chemotherapy is mostly given as an outpatient treatment. Chemotherapy is given as cycles and may be given once a day, once a week or even once a month. This depends on the type of cancer and the best regimen as determined by research, your doctor's opinion, and your preference. Depending on what type of cancer you have and whether it has spread, your doctor may use chemotherapy to: Eliminate all cancer cells in your body, even when cancer is widespread Prolong your life by controlling cancer growth and spread or Relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. Most chemotherapy drugs are given in one of the following ways: You might take a tablet or medicine orally (swallow) It may be given intravenously as an injection over a short period of time or as an infusion over a longer period of time. For these treatments you come into the Department usually for part of the day. Side effects Some people have no side effects at all from chemotherapy. Sometimes, however, chemotherapy will make you feel sick. Different types of chemotherapy may have different effects. We will discuss these with you before starting any treatment so you know what to expect. Chemotherapy targets all cells that are quickly dividing, including some normal ones, for example: Cells forming hair (can cause hair loss) Cells of the skin and mouth (can cause mouth ulcers and dry skin) Cells lining the stomach and bowel (can cause nausea, vomiting, and or diarrhoea) Cells in the bone marrow. This is where your red and white blood cells are made. White blood cells fight infections, so temporarily you are very prone to these and they can become serious. Loss of red blood cells can make you anaemic and tired. There are many medicines you can take to reduce or lessen these unwanted effects of chemotherapy. In some cases, chemotherapy may be the only treatment you need. It is often used with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation, to improve results. For example, you may receive: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The goal of neoadjuvant therapy is to reduce the size of a tumour with chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy. Given after surgery or radiation, the goal of adjuvant chemotherapy is to eliminate any cancer cells that might remain in your body following earlier treatment.

Chemotherapy uses specialised medicines to kill cancer cells. These medicines spread throughout the body (systemic treatment) and so can treat cancer cells in most places. Chemotherapy is mostly given as an outpatient treatment.

Chemotherapy is given as cycles and may be given once a day, once a week or even once a month. This depends on the type of cancer and the best regimen as determined by research, your doctor's opinion, and your preference. 

Depending on what type of cancer you have and whether it has spread, your doctor may use chemotherapy to:
  • Eliminate all cancer cells in your body, even when cancer is widespread
  • Prolong your life by controlling cancer growth and spread or
  • Relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Most chemotherapy drugs are given in one of the following ways:
  • You might take a tablet or medicine orally (swallow)
  • It may be given intravenously as an injection over a short period of time or as an infusion over a longer period of time.  For these treatments you come into the Department usually for part of the day.
Side effects

Some people have no side effects at all from chemotherapy. Sometimes, however, chemotherapy will make you feel sick.  Different types of chemotherapy may have different effects. We will discuss these with you before starting any treatment so you know what to expect.  Chemotherapy targets all cells that are quickly dividing, including some normal ones, for example:
  • Cells forming hair (can cause hair loss)
  • Cells of the skin and mouth (can cause mouth ulcers and dry skin)
  • Cells lining the stomach and bowel (can cause nausea, vomiting, and or diarrhoea)
  • Cells in the bone marrow.  This is where your red and white blood cells are made.  White blood cells fight infections, so temporarily you are very prone to these and they can become serious. Loss of red blood cells can make you anaemic and tired.
There are many medicines you can take to reduce or lessen these unwanted effects of chemotherapy.
 
In some cases, chemotherapy may be the only treatment you need. It is often used with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation, to improve results. For example, you may receive:
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The goal of neoadjuvant therapy is to reduce the size of a tumour with chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.
  • Adjuvant chemotherapy. Given after surgery or radiation, the goal of adjuvant chemotherapy is to eliminate any cancer cells that might remain in your body following earlier treatment.
Alternative Treatments

It is very common for people with cancer to want to try other non-medical treatments such as diet or alternative/complementary medicines offered by other practitioners. It is helpful for your oncology team to know what other therapies you might be taking as sometimes there can be interactions with their treatment.
It is very common for people with cancer to want to try other non-medical treatments such as diet or alternative/complementary medicines offered by other practitioners.  It is helpful for your oncology team to know what other therapies you might be taking as sometimes there can be interactions with their treatment.

Website

www.adhb.health.nz/

Contact Details

Auckland City Hospital

Central Auckland

  • Patient enquiries

    (09) 375 4300

  • Known extension/pager

    (09) 307 4949

  • Acute Referrals Service

    (09) 375 7030, Ext: 24048 

  • Emergency Department

    (09) 367 0000, open 24 hours / 7 days

  • Outpatient appointments & surgical booking enquiries

    (09) 638 0400 / scheduling@adhb.govt.nz 

Mental Health Services

  • 24 Hour Crisis Line

    0800 800717

  • GP / External Specialist Help Desk

    (09) 307 2800

Regional Cancer and Blood Service
Buildings 7 and 8, Auckland City Hospital
2 Park Road, Grafton
Auckland 1023

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Street Address

Regional Cancer and Blood Service
Buildings 7 and 8, Auckland City Hospital
2 Park Road, Grafton
Auckland 1023

Postal Address

Regional Cancer and Blood Service
Private Bag 92024
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142

This page was last updated at 12:33PM on February 23, 2023. This information is reviewed and edited by Oncology Services | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai.