Oncology Consult 🎗️
Guide for oncology consultation and referral. Key information to provide, common indications, and referral scripts for NCHDs.
📋 Key Info to Have Ready
- Patient identifiers: name, DOB, location, MRN
- Diagnosis and staging of malignancy (if known)
- Reason for consult (e.g. new mass, febrile neutropenia, palliation)
- Current treatment plan: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy
- Past oncology history and previous treatments
- Performance status (e.g. ECOG score)
- Relevant labs: FBC (esp. neutrophils), U&E, LFTs, CRP
- Imaging results: CT, MRI, PET if available
- Any complications: infections, thrombosis, pain, etc.
- If Haematology: subtype of blood cancer (e.g. AML, CLL), bone marrow involvement, cytogenetics, prior BMT
- If Radiation Oncology: areas irradiated, dose/frequency, acute side effects (e.g. mucositis, pneumonitis)
- If Medical Oncology: regimen details, cycle number, recent side effects (e.g. neutropenia, nausea)
🔎 Investigations to Know
- Latest bloods: FBC, U&E, LFTs, CRP, calcium
- Tumor markers if relevant
- Imaging reports relevant to the consult
- Blood cultures if febrile
- Medication history including recent cytotoxics
📞 Example Script
- Hi, this is [Your Name], the intern from [Team]. I'm calling about a [Age]-year-old patient with a background of [Malignancy Type].
- They were admitted with [Reason for Admission], and we’re concerned about [e.g. neutropenic sepsis, disease progression].
- They’ve had [treatment details] and their ECOG is [X]. Bloods show [relevant values], and we’re hoping for advice or a review.
- Please let me know if there’s anything else you'd like us to arrange.
📝 Tips
- Always check for recent chemo or immunotherapy
- Check for central lines and risk of line sepsis
- Clarify code status and goals of care if appropriate
- Ask if they have an oncology follow-up already scheduled