Cancer medicine (oncology)

We diagnose and treat patients with cancer. We work with a team of experts in radiology, pathology, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and symptom management.

We look after people with many types of cancer and related diseases, including:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Upper gastrointestinal tract cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Sarcoma
• Testicular cancer
• Endometrial cancer

Some of the treatments for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as newer techniques such as interventional radiology and immunotherapy. 

Our nursing team

Nurses play an important role in caring for patients and bring knowledge, experience, and expertise to your care. There are three oncology clinical nurse specialists (CNS) in the Mater Hospital, who work closely with our medical consultants. Their aim is to meet your needs and support your family from the time you are diagnosed and throughout your treatment.

You will meet your CNS at your first oncology outpatient appointment. At this meeting, you can discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan in detail, and get answers to any questions you have. You will also be given contact details for your CNS.

Your CNS coordinates and plans all the tests and appointments you need before your first treatment. As well as being a valuable source of knowledge and support for you, they also act as a communication link between patients and the rest of the oncology team. 

St Vincent’s day ward

Every year, we look after thousands of patients on our oncology day ward. You will be based in the day ward for treatment. The majority of our patients are able to return home on the same day as they get their treatment.

On your first visit, you will meet your day ward nurse, who will discuss your treatment plan and your medication with you. They will also tell you what to do if you experience any side effects from the treatment.

St Vincent’s inpatient ward

St Vincent’s inpatient ward specialises in haematology and oncology. It is a 23-bed unit, and all patients are given a single bed room with an ensuite bathroom. Patients and their families can also use the ward’s family room.

You may be admitted to stay on the inpatient ward for a number of reasons:

• Inpatient chemotherapy
• Help with the management of side effects from your treatment
• Symptom control
• Stem cell transplantation

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment for cancer.

Chemotherapy is delivered to you in a number of ways for example in tablets, by injections that go into your vein, or by injections that go under your skin. Your treatment will be explained to you in detail by the oncology nurse specialist or a Daffodil Centre representative before your first treatment.

Depending on the type of chemotherapy you are getting, you may need to take new medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, rashes and other possible side effects of the chemotherapy.

It is important that your doctors, nurses and pharmacists know what medications (including herbal medicines) you are taking before you start your chemotherapy. Please bring a list of your current medications with you on your first day of treatment.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a new and innovative treatment that helps your body to defend itself against cancer. It works with your immune system to fight and destroy cancer cells. 

Your immunotherapy treatment will be given to you in hospital. Your cancer specialist team will go through your health checks first to make sure you are ok to receive your immunotherapy treatment. Once the health checks are completed, your nurse will insert an intravenous (IV) drip, which is a thin tube, into a vein in your arm so that the treatment can enter your body. This is called an IV infusion and will take approximately 30-90 minutes. Your treatment will be fully explained to you by your cancer specialist team. 

Immunotherapy videos

• For Patient FAQs, treatment information and more, please see our Immunotherapy videos here

Immunotherapy booklet

See our Immunotherapy booklet for helpful information:

Patient support

ARC

ARC is an Irish charity dedicated to supporting people diagnosed with cancer, their family members, friends and carers. The support is holistic and includes counselling, psychological support and complementary treatments.

• Family members and friends of those diagnosed with cancer
• Parents whose children have cancer
• Members of the caring professions who work with people with cancer
• Children whose parent (or other significant adult in their lives) has cancer

See the ARC House website here for more information.
 

Daffodil Centres

Daffodil Centres are part of the Irish Cancer Society’s cancer support service. They provide information, advice and support to anyone affected by or worried about cancer and help them cope with the impact it is having on their lives.

Find out more information about the Daffodil Centre at the Mater Hospital.

Clinical trials & research

Clinical trials can offer patients new treatments that are not widely available. 

We coordinate a number of clinical trials in oncology and haematology in our clinical trials research unit here in the hospital. They are managed by our large and very experienced team, including clinical staff (oncology and haematology consultants, research nurses and pharmacists) and non-clinical staff (data management and administration). 

See our Clinical Trials Research Unit page here for more information.

For more information on clinical trials in Ireland see:
 

• Irish Cancer Society – Clinical Trials 
• All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group – Clinical Trials 
•  Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association – Clinical Trials