Medical Oncology

Medical Oncology Services

Medical Oncology is the cancer treatment specialty which relates to chemotherapy treatment for solid tumours (cancer cells which clump together to form lumps as in breast, lung and bowel cancers). Medical Oncology Doctors visit all the regional hospitals within the Regional Cancer Treatment Service at least monthly. Chemotherapy is mostly given as an outpatient treatment. In Palmerston North this will be in Medical Oncology Day Ward.


Chemotherapy Services

Chemotherapy is also given in Gisborne, Hastings and New Plymouth. Chemotherapy which requires to be given in hospital as an inpatient is only given in Palmerston North,  in Ward 23. Sometimes in  some cancers,  Chemotherapy treatment is given  in conjunction with Stem Cell Transplants. These are only performed in Palmerston North in the Regional Cancer Treatment Service region.

Medical Oncology Staff

Medical Oncology staff link closely with staff from other specialties such as Radiation Therapy, Clinical Trials and Palliative Care where a patient’s treatment needs to be coordinated between services. We also work closely with organisations such as the Cancer Society to ensure that people who come to our service have access to information and regional support services.


Contact Medical Oncology


  • Nutritionist from Heartbeat Tararua with local residents

    Chemotherapy


    Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment using specialised drugs that kill cancer cells. These drugs are given directly into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body (systemic treatment). This means that chemotherapy can be given for cancer that is or may be in several parts of the body.

  • Palmerston North Hospital Doctors walking along corridor

    Medical Oncology Day Ward


    Patients who require chemotherapy as an outpatient are treated in Medical Oncology Day Ward (MODW).

  • Nursing plan being written up

    Side Effects


    Side effects associated with cancer treatment services.

Other Areas of Interest:

Ward 23 Oncology

Ward 23 is the inpatient ward of the Regional Cancer Treatment Service. It is an  18 bed ward and provides care and treatment within the three main cancer specialties: Medical Oncology (Chemotherapy), Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy) and Clinical Haematology (Blood Conditions).

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Healthline.

Healthline

Phone 0800 611 116 for free 24-hour health advice.

Older Persons.

Older Persons' Services

Helpful information and links for older people.

Palmerston North Hospital.

Palmerston North Hospital

General information about Palmerston North Hospital.

Radiation Oncology.

Radiation Oncology

Visiting the Radiation Oncology Department.

Regional Cancer Treatment Service

Regional Cancer Treatment Services

Accessing the Regional Cancer Treatment Service.

Mental Health

Mental Health

What Mental Health services are available in MidCentral DHB?