Suspected or Confirmed Colorectal Cancer
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.
Availability
North 
South North West Statewide 
This condition is treated in the Colorectal Surgery clinic
Pre-referral work-up
History
All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include:
- Signs or symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer
- Palpable mass
- Suspicious bleeding or definite change in bowel habit
Vague lower abdominal pain should be worked up as per gastroenterology guidelines for abdominal pain.
Tests
- FBE
- LFTs
- CEA
- CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis
- Biopsy result if available
- Colonoscopy or barium enema result if available
- FOB if available
Referral process: Contact Specialist Clinics by phone prior to faxing referral on patients with confirmed cancer.
Interim/GP management
To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Colorectal Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.
For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.
Urgent / category 1
Confirmed colorectal cancer
Strongly suspected colorectal cancer
Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.
Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6777 6405 Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120 Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100 Fax: (03) 6173 0489
Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.
Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.
We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.
