Our philosophy
We are committed to providing you and your family with clinical and emotional support through the provision of expert and compassionate care in the treatment of lung cancer.
Recognising that this is often an extremely difficult time for you and your family, our care will be delivered in a spirit of warmth, dignity and understanding.
Our team shares a commitment to patient care and we work together with a focus on respect and support.
Working together to care for you
Lung cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Australia . The earlier lung cancer is identified, the better the results of the treatment. If you or someone close to you is at risk for lung cancer, it is important to have a doctor investigate it. For those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, there are many treatment options available.
The multidisciplinary lung cancer program at Epworth Freemasons Lung Cancer Centre specialises in the treatment of lung cancer and other cancers of the chest, such as malignant mesothelioma and secondary cancers.
We recognise that every patient has different treatment needs. We work together to make sure all aspects of treatment are coordinated to provide the most effective personalised treatment program.
The treatment options for lung cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these, depending on the stage of the tumor.
The multidisciplinary lung cancer team provides an expert in each of these areas.
The team also comprises a dedicated chest radiologist who specialises in lung cancer diagnosis and assessment.
All of the specialists meet regularly to discuss your treatment and progress. Their combined expertise helps ensure that you receive the optimal care for your condition.
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
If a doctor suspects that you have lung cancer, they may:
- Ask about your medical history
- Perform a physical examination
- Order specialized medical tests
As part of taking your medical history, your doctor may ask about:
- Whether you smoke or have smoked in the past
- Your occupation
- Whether you have been exposed to certain occupational hazardous substances or radiation
- Whether you have a family history of lung cancer
Medical tests that may be performed include:
- Chest x-ray: This is the first and basic test that will be ordered
- Sputum test: This is the examination under a microscopy of a sample of the sputum you cough up. If an abnormality seen on an x-ray is suggestive of cancer, a sputum test may be ordered
- CT scan: This is a highly specialised x-ray with computer-generated images showing thin slices of the lung
- Biopsy: This is the removal of a sample of tissue from the body to be examined under a microscope. A doctor who specialises in tissue analysis (a pathologist) can then see what type of cell is causing the growth and whether or not it is a cancerous cell. A biopsy how the doctor can be absolutely certain that lung cancer is present
There are different ways in which a biopsy of the lung may be obtained - Needle aspiration: Under local anaesthetic, a doctor will insert a needle through your chest directly into the growth and, guided by x-rays, will remove a sample of tissue. Alternatively, the needle may be pushed only as far as the envelope of tissue that surrounds the lungs, removing fluid from this layer to check for the presence of cancer cells
- Bronchoscopy: In this procedure, a doctor passes a narrow, flexible, well-lit tube, called a bronchoscope, either through your mouth or nose directly into your windpipe and the doctor is able to see the air passages inside the lungs. The biopsy of any suspicious part of the lung may be performed through this tube
Rarely, even after all the above medical tests; the diagnosis may still be unclear. In this case, an operation exposing the lung may be needed. This procedure is known as a thoracotomy (VATS)/ "keyhole" surgery and can be used to assist the doctors in the diagnosis process.
Our team of physicians includes experts in the following areas:
Chest radiology - Epworth Freemasons Lung Cancer Centre features a dedicated chest radiologist. Radiology uses a variety of imaging tests in the care of the cancer patient. Through a combination of chest X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and nuclear scans, radiologists detect the initial presence of cancer, help determine if it has spread and where, and then help monitor the response of the cancer to treatment. Our radiologists are recognized experts in radiology and in diagnosing lung cancer and other chest diseases.
Respiratory medicine - Our respiratory physicians are doctors specialising in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, assessing each patient to determine the extent of the disease. This information is then used to determine the best treatment options for you.
Thoracic surgery - Thoracic surgeons are doctors specially trained and experienced in operations on the chest and lungs. Our thoracic surgeons understand your concerns about surgery and will ensure you get the best surgical care while you are at Epworth Freemasons Lung Cancer Centre.
Medical oncology - Specialists in the use of medicines for cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, often play an integral role in treating lung cancer. Medications may be used alone or in addition to surgery or radiation therapy. Our medical oncologists are dedicated to assessing and prescribing the necessary chemotherapy treatments for each patient. Our Day Oncology Unit is located on site in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne .
Radiation oncology - Radiation therapy is the use of targeted beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. It is a common treatment for lung cancer, and can also be effective if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Holistic caring
We realise that cancer treatment extends beyond just medical care. It also includes spiritual, emotional, educational and social support. Therefore, in addition to providing an expert team of physicians, the Multidisciplinary Lung.
The Cancer Team also comprises:
- Counselors
- Dietitians
- Genetic counselors
- Nurses
- Occupational/physical therapists
- Pathologists
- Social workers
- Physiotherapists
Access to clinical trials
Patients have access to clinical trials at Epworth Freemasons Lung Cancer Centre. Also known as cancer treatment or research studies, clinical trials attempt to find more effective ways of treating cancer. These treatments may include studies of new drugs, new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, and combinations of treatments or new methods such as molecular targeted therapy.
The doctors on the multidisciplinary lung cancer team are involved in a number of clinical trials related to lung cancer treatment and you can discuss the option of participating in these trials with them.
Contacting us
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung cancer or think you may be at risk, talk to your doctor about a referral, or contact Epworth Freemasons Lung Cancer Centre on 03 9418 8318.
The Lung Cancer Centre, located in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, provides 320 basement car parking spaces, with direct lift access to the unit on the ground floor. Your car can be parked at special concessional rates.