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Radiation Therapy | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai

Public Service, Radiation Oncology, Oncology

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Description

Our service is part of the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland District Health Board.  Our teams are specialists in providing care in haematology, medical oncology and radiation oncology. We are here to ensure that you get the best care with the best possible outcome for you and your whānau.  This video is here to introduce all of our services to you.

Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy is a painless, localised treatment of cancerous and some non-cancerous tumours with radiation. Radiation therapy machines produce high energy x-rays that are directed at an area identified by a doctor for treatment. The x-rays have a biological effect on cells within this area which stops them from reproducing.

Radiation Therapy may be used for curative cancer treatment or as palliative treatment (where cure is not possible and the aim is for local disease control or symptomatic relief) or as therapeutic treatment (where the therapy has survival benefit and it can be curative).

During treatment you don’t feel anything, but you may hear a quiet buzzing noise from the machine.

At Auckland Hospital, the Radiation Therapy Department is a team of over 60 professionals; doctors, radiation therapists, oncology nurses, medical physicists and allied health workers, working together to provide the best possible treatment and care. There are 7 treatment machines.

What is Cancer?
Everyone’s body is made up of millions of cells, which normally grow, divide and are renewed in a balanced or programmed way. Sometimes this process is disrupted and the cells grow in an uncontrolled way – a solid group of these cells is called a tumour. Another word commonly used for tumour is growth and it can mean the same thing.

A tumour/growth can be benign (grows but will not spread into different parts of the body) or malignant (spreads into different parts of the body as well as grows locally). Tumours spread by cells travelling through the lymphatic system (the body’s cleaning system) to lymph nodes (often known as glands) or through blood to other organs in the body. These cells can then multiply. If this happens the cancer is called metastatic.
Cancer isn't contagious, so you can go on being close to family and friends.

Consultants

Referral Expectations

After receiving a letter requesting an appointment in the outpatient clinic, one of the consultant radiation oncologists working in the Department reviews these letters to determine who should be seen first, based on the information provided by the letter.  

Coming to your Appointment

  • Please report to our reception on L4 of Building 8
  • Show the receptionist your appointment card and take a seat at reception
  • A radiation therapist will call for you and check your name, address, phone numbers and birth date.

When you come to the Radiation Oncology Outpatient Department you will be seen by a member of the Radiation Oncology Team who will ask questions about your illness and examine you, and discuss management of your condition.
An information booklet called Radiation Therapy, Auckland City Hospital is provided when you meet your Radiation Oncologist (A doctor specialising in radiation treatment).
Further information will be given to patients and families when you visit the Department.
 

What to bring: 

  • Please bring any pain or anti-nausea medication you are taking with you to your appointments in case you need them
  • Also be sure to bring your appointment card with you.

Hours

Mon – Fri 7:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Procedures / Treatments

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

For information regarding the types of side effects you may experience during your Radiation Therapy, refer to the information pamphlets below related to your treatment site. Scroll down further for more languages. This information explains the side effects which may occur during Radiation Therapy. These usually settle two weeks after Radiation Therapy. Your Radiation Oncologist will discuss any potential long term side effects with you prior to starting your treatment. Skincare General (Other) Breast Prostate Head & Neck Chest (Lung) Pelvis (Male and Female) Gynaecological Brain Abdomen Axilla TBI (Total Body Irradiation) Skin Care during Radiation Therapy (PDF, 642.8 KB) General Side Effects of Radiation Therapy (PDF, 632.2 KB) General Side Effects of Radiation Therapy (Korean) (PDF, 578.4 KB) General Side Effects of Radiation Therapy (Simplified Chinese) (PDF, 423.8 KB) General Side Effects of Radiation Therapy (Maori) (PDF, 576.5 KB) General Side Effects of Radiation Therapy (Samoan) (PDF, 591.8 KB) General Side Effects from Radiation Therapy (Tongan) (PDF, 584.3 KB) Breast Radiation Therapy (PDF, 543.7 KB) Breast (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 433.4 KB) Breast (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 852.6 KB) Prostate Radiation Therapy (PDF, 580 KB) Prostate (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 552.5 KB) Prostate (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 430 KB) Prostate (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 558.5 KB) Prostate (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 570.2 KB) Prostate (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 549.2 KB) Head and Neck Radiation Therapy (PDF, 732.1 KB) Head and Neck (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 662 KB) Head and Neck (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 474 KB) Head and Neck (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 559.2 KB) Head and Neck (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 573.1 KB) Head and Neck (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 573.5 KB) Chest Radiation Therapy (PDF, 605.2 KB) Chest (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 567.6 KB) Chest (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 617.7 KB) Chest (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 598.2 KB) Chest (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 607.6 KB) Chest (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 606.5 KB) Pelvis Radiation Therapy (PDF, 561.3 KB) Pelvis (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 545.8 KB) Pelvis (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 458.3 KB) Pelvis (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 553.2 KB) Pelvis (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 540.8 KB) Pelvis (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 539.1 KB) Gynaecological Radiation Therapy (PDF, 533.3 KB) Gynaecological (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 534.1 KB) Gynaecological (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 480.9 KB) Gynaecological (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 501.4 KB) Gynaecological (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 521.4 KB) Gynaecological (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 506 KB) Brain Radiation Therapy (PDF, 581.2 KB) Brain (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 543.4 KB) Brain (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 435.2 KB) Brain (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 600.4 KB) Brain (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 588.8 KB) Brain (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 554.8 KB) Abdomen Radiation Therapy (PDF, 629.6 KB) Abdomen (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 596.2 KB) Abdomen (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 612.7 KB) Abdomen (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 629.3 KB) Abdomen (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 565 KB) Abdomen (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 565.9 KB) Axilla (armpit) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 598.9 KB) Axilla (Korean) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 563.1 KB) Axilla (Simplified Chinese) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 592.9 KB) Axilla (Maori) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 612.4 KB) Axilla (Samoan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 596.7 KB) Axilla (Tongan) Radiation Therapy (PDF, 581.5 KB) Total Body Irradiation (PDF, 456.7 KB)

For information regarding the types of side effects you may experience during your Radiation Therapy, refer to the information pamphlets below related to your treatment site. Scroll down further for more languages.

This information explains the side effects which may occur during Radiation Therapy. These usually settle two weeks after Radiation Therapy. Your Radiation Oncologist will discuss any potential long term side effects with you prior to starting your treatment.

 
Exhale Breath Hold - For Abdominal SABR

Giving high dose radiation to the abdomen area needs careful handling because nearby organs are sensitive. When you breathe, the organs in your belly move. By holding your breath after breathing out, we can lessen this movement. This helps aim the radiation more precisely at the tumour. Holding your breath after exhaling (breathing out) keeps your insides still and protects healthy tissue from radiation. A patient information leaflet is available for you to download. Practice your Breath Hold with these videos: The following video/audio files can help guide you into the exhale breath holds. Abdominal SABR Patient Information (PDF, 303.7 KB) Patient Leaflet for patients receiving SABR to their abdomen. Leaflet includes the following information: - Exhale Breath Hold Technique - Dietary Preparation for your appointments
Giving high dose radiation to the abdomen area needs careful handling because nearby organs are sensitive.

When you breathe, the organs in your belly move. By holding your breath after breathing out, we can lessen this movement. This helps aim the radiation more precisely at the tumour. Holding your breath after exhaling (breathing out) keeps your insides still and protects healthy tissue from radiation.

A patient information leaflet is available for you to download. 

Practice your Breath Hold with these videos:
The following video/audio files can help guide you into the exhale breath holds. 
  • Abdominal SABR Patient Information (PDF, 303.7 KB)

    Patient Leaflet for patients receiving SABR to their abdomen. 

    Leaflet includes the following information:
    - Exhale Breath Hold Technique
    - Dietary Preparation for your appointments

Document Downloads

Public Transport

Link Buses stop outside the hospital every 15 minutes.

Parking

  • Free parking is available outside the building. Our reception will provide you with a parking slip to place on your car dashboard. There is also parking in the Domain.
  • Paid parking is available in the hospital car park.
     

Website

www.adhb.health.nz/

Contact Details

Auckland City Hospital

Central Auckland

  • Patient enquiries

    (09) 375 4300

  • Known extension/pager

    (09) 307 4949

  • Acute Referrals Service

    (09) 375 7030, Ext: 24048 

  • Emergency Department

    (09) 367 0000, open 24 hours / 7 days

  • Outpatient appointments & surgical booking enquiries

    (09) 638 0400 / scheduling@adhb.govt.nz 

Mental Health Services

  • 24 Hour Crisis Line

    0800 800717

  • GP / External Specialist Help Desk

    (09) 307 2800

Building 8, Level 4
Auckland City Hospital
Park Rd
Grafton
Auckland.

Building 8 is an orange brick building behind the old main hospital. It is on your right when you drive through the main entrance and drop off area. If you are coming through the main foyer which is Level 5, Main Building, you need to go to Level 4 and follow the green line to take you to the Radiation Therapy Treatment site. See map on right under Document Downloads.

Information about this location

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Street Address

Building 8, Level 4
Auckland City Hospital
Park Rd
Grafton
Auckland.

Building 8 is an orange brick building behind the old main hospital. It is on your right when you drive through the main entrance and drop off area. If you are coming through the main foyer which is Level 5, Main Building, you need to go to Level 4 and follow the green line to take you to the Radiation Therapy Treatment site. See map on right under Document Downloads.

Postal Address

Private Bag 92 024
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142

This page was last updated at 11:15AM on July 2, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Radiation Therapy | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai.