Cancer

The Monash Children’s Cancer Centre provides a wide range of services to treat childhood and adolescent blood diseases and cancer.

Oncology and haematology service
Monash Children’s Hospital oncology and haematology service is delivered in the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre  (Monash CCC).

We provide preeminent care and treatment for infants, children and adolescents with cancer and haematological conditions (diseases relating to blood.)

The service is based in the new Monash Children’s Hospital, Clayton where state of the art facilities include nine dedicated cancer inpatient beds and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary outpatient service with 12 day treatment beds.

A large Ronald McDonald Family Room with amenities, the Starlight room and cinema are nearby and help make life that little bit easier for families caring for a sick child.

Day Oncology Unit
Our Day Oncology Unit provides comprehensive ambulatory care. Here patients and their families have medical oncology or haematology consultations, see the allied health and psychosocial team and receive their day treatment. The unit has facilities for general anaesthetic provision to allow minor procedures to be performed in a familiar environment.

A large playroom, outdoor play area and adolescent spaces provide distraction and entertainment during appointments and treatment.

A wide range of treatment is provided in the Day Oncology Unit. Children requiring inpatient care are managed in a paediatric ward next to the unit.

Our senior medical team has a wide range of expertise in all aspects of childhood and adolescent blood diseases and cancer and our nursing team comprises dedicated nurses who have chosen to specialise in the care of children with cancer and serious haematological conditions.

Our integrated multidisciplinary team of specialist medical, nursing, psychosocial and allied health professionals provide care and services to meet the clinical, physical, social and psychological needs of patients and parents.

This multidisciplinary approach is directed towards maximising quality of life outcomes associated with cancer treatments and long-term survivorship.

We are a member of the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s largest organisation for paediatric cancer research, enabling patient access to the latest clinical trials.

Our team
The Director of the Children’s Cancer Centre at Monash Children’s Hospital is Professor John Heath.

More information
Please click here for detailed information about our children’s cancer services including diagnosis, types, treatment, living with childhood cancer, non-malignant haematological blood conditions, our partners, our team, the referral process and the Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service.

Our wide range of services support children, adolescents and their families through their treatment and care.

Our senior medical staff has a wide range of expertise in all aspects of childhood and adolescent blood diseases and cancer.

Our integrated multidisciplinary team of specialist medical, nursing, psychosocial and allied health professionals provide care and services to meet the clinical, physical, social and psychological needs of patients and parents.

This multidisciplinary approach is directed towards maximising quality of life outcomes associated with cancer treatments and long-term survivorship.  A range of sub-speciality paediatric and administrative services supports the clinical service.

Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre  is a partner of the Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service (PICS). Monash Children’s Hospital helps run the PICS Regional Outreach and Shared Care Program (ROSCP) to facilitate transition between primary treating hospital and regional centre and the Long Term Follow-up Program (LTFP) which facilitates transition from completion of curative treatment to survivorship phase of the cancer journey.

We have a strong focus on research and participate in international clinical trial and other clinical research. Our children’s cancer research program focuses on brain tumours and solid tumours in children and adolescents. This is in the Hudson Institute of Medical Research.

We also provide care and treatment for children and teenagers with a range of non-malignant haematological paediatric blood conditions.

Monash Health is the Victorian state-based thalassaemia service providing diagnosis, treatment and genetic counselling for these patients.

Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre is dedicated to providing a place that is friendly, safe and comfortable for children undergoing treatment and their families.

When entering the unit, please let the receptionist know you are here before going through to the waiting room.

Patients coming for the first time will need a referral letter from a Consultant (valid for three months) or their General Practitioner (valid for 12 months) and on expiry of the letter you will be asked to bring a new letter.

The clinic is bulk billed so please make sure you bring your Medicare card.  On leaving the unit please make sure you have arranged for another appointment at the reception desk.

Additional services help in all aspects of the patient’s life including teachers to link with school communities and support students to complete work, play and music therapists and family and community resource liaison to facilitate fun and engaging games and activities for patients and siblings, and social workers to help with coping.

We participate in international clinical trials and other clinical research. Our children’s cancer research program focuses on brain tumours and solid tumours in children and adolescents. This is in the Hudson Institute of Medical Research.

Useful resources 

Monash CCC is a formal partner of the Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service (PICS) which works with health services to improve patient experiences and outcomes by connecting cancer care and driving best practice. See www.pics.org.au.

Helpful resources for families:

• Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service – Information for families
• Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service – Information resources
• The Information Book, Life After Diagnosis
• ‘What about school’ – by Ronald McDonald Learning Program
• Cancer Council Victoria – includes links about diagnosis, types, treatment and life during and after childhood cancers.

Clinics within our service include:

• Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre (Monash CCC)
• Monash CCC Day Oncology Unit
• Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service (PICS) Long Term Follow-up Program (LTFP)

Please click here to view the referral guidelines.

Secure eReferral by HealthLink is now our preferred method of referral.

Find up-to-date information about how to send a referral to Monash Health Specialist Consulting Clinics on the eReferrals page on our website.

If the referral is urgent please call 8572 3456 during business hours or 9345 5522 outside of business hours to expedite patient care.

For general enquiries or appointments at Monash Children’s Cancer Centre Outpatients and Day Oncology Unit please call 8572 3456 or email childrenscancerncentre@monashhealth.org

Our supporters 

The Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre is incredibly grateful for all the support we receive for our staff, patients, and their families. We offer our sincere thanks to all of our partners for their kind generosity.

Bailey’s Day

Children’s Cancer Foundation

My Room Children’s Cancer Charity

Ricky Taylor Foundation

Vanessa Miranda’s Playdate