Breast cancer which originates from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.

Read more about Breast Cancer Treatment.

Brain cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the brain.

Read more about brain cancer.

Spinal cord tumours occur less often.   Tumours may start in the spinal cord or grow from the covering of the spinal cord and can be either benign or malignant.  Spinal cord tumours may stop the flow of messages along the nerves between the brain and the body causing loss of control or difficulty with using arms, legs, and bladder or bowel functions.  Feeling within the skin may also be affected.

Ovarian & Uterine

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour in one or both ovaries. The most common type is serous papillary, but other types of Ovarian cancer include endometroid, clear cell and mucinous carcinoma.

Cancer of the Uterus is the most common gynaecological cancer affecting women in Australia. Most cancers of the uterus are cancers of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). Cancers can also develop in the muscle layers of the uterus.  Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that starts in glandular tissue; most women who are diagnosed with cancer of the uterus have this type of cancer. The less common types of cancer of the uterus are adenosquamous carcinoma, papillary serous carcinoma and, rarely, clear cell carcinoma or uterine sarcoma.

Head & Neck

Head and neck cancers occur most frequently in men, who are nearly three times more likely to develop the disease than women. Head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth (lip and tongue), the pharynx (or throat) and the larynx (or voice box).  Early symptoms occur as a lump or nodule, numbness, swelling, hoarseness, sore throat or any difficulty moving the jaw or swallowing.

Oculoplastics (Eye Cancers)

Eye cancer is a general term used to describe many types of tumours that occur in various parts of the eye. It occurs when cells in or around the eye begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumour.  A tumour may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning cells can spread to other parts of the body). Cancer that forms in the eyeball is called an intraocular malignancy.

Oral Cancer - Face, Mouth and Jaw

Oral cancer or oral cavity cancer is any cancerous tissue growth located in the oral cavity. It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the oral tissues, by metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the nasal cavity or the maxillary sinus. Oral cancers may originate in any of the tissues of the mouth, and may be of varied histologic types: teratoma, adenocarcinoma derived from a major or minor salivary gland, lymphoma from tonsillar or other lymphoid tissue, or melanoma from the pigment producing cells of the oral mucosa. There are several types of oral cancers, but around 90% are squamous cell carcinomas, originating in the tissues that line the mouth and lips. Oral or mouth cancer most commonly involves the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gingiva (gums), lips, or palate (roof of the mouth). Most oral cancers look very similar under the microscope and are called squamous cell carcinoma. These are malignant and tend to spread rapidly.

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in men and women.  Lung cancer has three main classifications:

• Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer.  Non-small cell lung cancer includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinomas.

• Small cell lung cancers grow more rapidly and are more likely to spread to other organs.

• Mesothelioma is a rare tumor of the lining of lungs, often attributed to asbestos exposure.

A sarcoma is a cancer (malignant tumour) arising from bone, cartilage, or soft tissues such as fat, muscle, connective tissue or blood vessels. Sarcomas are rare cancers and occur in approximately 1% of the Australian population.   They are rare and are usually divided into two groups - bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas.

Three types of skin cancer account for about 95% of all the skin cancers that occur.

Read more about the types of skin cancer

Upper Gastrointestinal
Liver, Pancreas, Oesophagus & Stomach

Liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer that starts in the liver and not a cancer which has migrated to the liver (these are known as liver metastasis).  Liver tumours are commonly discovered on medical imaging, which may occur incidentally to imaging performed for a different disease than the cancer itself, or may present symptomatically, as an abdominal mass, nausea or some other liver dysfunction. Liver cancer may require surgeric resection and chemotherapy.

Pancreatic cancer is a difficult-to-diagnose cancer. The cancer may present with abdominal pain, weight-loss but most commonly with jaundice, or yellow-discolouration of the skin, caused by obstruction of the bile duct. Pancreatic cancer can be picked up by imaging with CT and diagnosis confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS FNA). Surgery and/ or chemotherapy may be required. Occasionally, a stent needs to be inserted to manage blockage of the bile duct.   

Oesophageal cancer is a malignant tumour that grows in the lining of the oesophagus.  Oesophageal cancer can occur in any section of the oesophagus but in Australia is most likely to be related to Barretts oesophagus from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment may require surgery or chemoradiotherapy. Early pre-cancer "dysplasia" can be treated by radiofrequency ablation (Barryx HALO), which is an endoscopic procedure that heats up the internal oesophageal lining. Stenting can be performed for obstruction.

Stomach cancer or gastric cancer can develop in any part of the stomach. It begins in the inner lining and can spread throughout the stomach, penetrate the wall and progress to the adjacent lymph nodes. The cause is unknown but has been associated with dietary factors and Helicobacter pylori infection, to name just two. Treatment often requires surgery and chemotherapy. As with other gastrointestinal cancers, stenting is a palliative option.

Colorectal

Colorectal cancer (bowel cancer) is the second commonest internal cancer affecting men and women in Australia. The prevalence is 1 in 17 men and 1 in 26 women. In NSW, a new case is diagnosed every two hours and a bowel-cancer death every five hours. When detected early, both colon and rectal cancer have high cure rates. Treatment often involves a combination of surgical, medical and radiation oncology. Palliation is possible through endoscopic "stenting" that helps prevent bowel obstruction. Screening for bowel cancer is recommended and this can be performed using stool blood testing or colonoscopy. 

Our Treatment

Macquarie University Hospital and Clinic offers a multi-disciplinary approach in the prevention, screening, diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal cancers. Macquarie GI is a group of gastroenterologists, upper gastrointestinal and colorectal surgeons that specialise to these conditions. The Endoscopy Unit at MUH has two state-of-the-art procedure rooms performing day procedures. Surgery is conducted in the digital theatres.  

Prostate, Bladder, Kidney & Testis