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Cancer

We are one of Victoria's largest providers of cancer care and treatment, caring for more than 37,000 patients each year.

As partners in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC), The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre are working together to deliver diagnosis, treatment and clinical research services across the Parkville Precinct for patients with blood cancer and other blood disorders. Through this partnership, we aim to provide the best in cancer care to our patients.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital's cancer services include:

  • Blood cancers

  • Breast cancer

  • Colorectal cancer

  • Head and neck cancers

  • Lung cancer

  • Neurological cancers

  • Palliative care

  • Upper gastro-intestinal cancers

  • Urological cancers

The hospital's blood cancer service investigates and treats blood disorders including including leukaemia and lymphoma. For more than 25 years, The Royal Melbourne Hospital has been home to Victoria's largest adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, performing approximately 100 transplants a year.

Where are services provided?

Ward 7B

  • 32-bed ward
  • Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
  • One of only two donor transplant units in Victoria
  • Patients can stay for 4-6 weeks at a time, potentially longer

Day Therapy

All day therapy services and treatments (outpatient chemotherapy, blood transfusions, bone marrow biopsies and post bone marrow transplant follow up) for patients with blood cancer and other blood disorders are provided by Peter Mac Day Therapy within the VCCC building.

Specialist Clinics

There are specialist clinics (or outpatient clinics) located at both Peter Mac and the RMH for patients with a blood cancer, suspected blood cancer and other blood disorders. Patients will be seen at either location depending on your diagnoses, medical needs or treatment plan. List of clinics at RMH are listed below.

Ward 7 West

  • Palliative care – 12 bed ward
  • Provides care to over 1400 patients and their families annually
  • The service provides high quality care and undertakes world-leading research for patients with cancer and other advanced illnesses

How to access this service

You need a referral from your GP or medical practitioner to access this service.

Your GP will fax your referral to the hospital. Once we receive the referral, we will send you a letter.

If there is a waiting list, you'll be advised what to do in your letter.

Referrals are current for 12 months from the date of issue, unless it is specified as "indefinite". Keep a copy of your referral, so you can easily ask your GP to renew your referral if you need to.

Clinics

BMT Late Effects City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 South
BMT Psychologist City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 South East WED
Bone Marrow Transplant City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 South East WED
Breast City Campus Familial Cancer Reception, Level 2 Centre TUE
Clinical Haematology Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre within the VCCC Building
Colorectal City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 South MON
Haematology Non Malignant City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 South FRI
Haematology Non Malignant City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 West TUE
Head and Neck Multidisciplinary City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 Centre WED
Hepatobilliary/Upper GI City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 South MON
Lung Radiation Oncology City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 Centre FRI
Neurosurgery Radiation Oncology City Campus Outpatients, Level 1 Centre MON
Oncology Phase 1 Trial Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre within the VCCC Building
Surgical Oncology Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre within the VCCC Building
Urology Radiation Oncology Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre, Blackwood Street, North Melbourne WED

What to bring

Every time you come to hospital

Every time you come to hospital for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:

  • Medicare card
  • Health Care card (if you have one)
  • Concession card (if you have one)
  • Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
  • Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
  • X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
  • Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
  • Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For an overnight (or longer) stay

If you come for an overnight (or longer stay), you should also bring:

  • A dressing gown and slippers, or comfortable day clothes and shoes
  • Your toiletries
  • Your iPad/tablet or smart phone, provided you are happy to take responsibility for it
For a day procedure

If you come for a day procedure, you should also bring:

  • A responsible adult carer to stay with you to hear instructions, help you and take you home
  • Dressing gown and slippers
For a clinic appointment

If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:

  • Your letter
  • Any special items listed on your letter
  • Your appointment book
  • TAC or Workcover claim number
Do not bring (for overnight or longer stay)

And if you're staying overnight, do not bring:

  • Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash. Just bring a small amount for items such as newspapers, magazines or coffee

  • Valuables, such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you

In a medical emergency, call 000. If you are feeling unwell, see your local GP or go to your local hospital Emergency department for help.