Prostate Cancer
Adult

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Emergency Referrals

Useful Management Information

Patients with suspected but not confirmed prostate cancer should be referred to Urologists Specialist review optimally should be within 4 weeks
If there are signs or symptoms suggestive of metastases consider:
- CT and bone scan, often after confirmation of a prostate cancer diagnosis, the patient’s Specialist may arrange a PSMA-PET scan and /or and MRI of the prostate depending on the stage of the disease and the patient, if appropriate
- Most referrals for early, locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer for antiandrogen therapy, chemotherapy and novel antiandrogen therapies come through the Urology team and after MDT review
For patients with incurable (metastatic or recurrent) cancer, consideration of the following:
- documentation of discussions with the patient (and their carers where appropriate) regarding the intent of treatment (anti-cancer therapy to improve quality of life and/or longevity without expectation of cure or symptom palliation), the patient's prognosis and their understanding of their prognosis
- whether Advance Care Planning (ACP) conversations have been undertaken and their outcome
- specific patient goals and values that may impact on treatment choices
- whether the patient has been referred to a palliative or supportive care service
Optimal care pathway for people with prostate cancer [RM1]
Quick reference guide
[RM1] CC OCP Prostate 2021 2nd Ed.pdf (cancervic.org.au)

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)	Patients with new or suspected diagnosis of prostate cancer should be referred initially to the Urology service for a conclusive diagnosis and initial management and are usually discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting and referred to a Medical oncologist for escalation of care if considered appropriate Metastatic prostate cancer. For optimum care, patient should be seen within 4 weeks Symptomatic patients with radiological evidence of locally advanced or metastatic disease and PSA > 50 ng/mL. (Note: Asymptomatic patients should be referred to a specialist urologist within 4 weeks of a persistently abnormal PSA result or a single PSA reading ≥ 10 ng/mL)
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)	New diagnosis of castrate resistant non-metastatic prostate cancer currently receiving androgen deprivation therapy and demonstrating evidence of a prostate-specific antigen level that was observed to have at least doubled in value in a time period of within 10 months anytime prior to first commencing treatment with this drug New diagnosis of hormone sensitive metastatic prostate cancer for consideration of escalation of therapy from androgen deprivation therapy alone (within 6 months of commencement of androgen deprivation therapy) to include a novel anti-androgens +/- chemotherapy (Note: patients should have a histological diagnosis of prostate cancer) Transfer of care from another health service
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)	No category 3 criteria
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria Assessment and management information may be found on a range of conditions at HealthPathways If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested: Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.) Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Standard Referral Information

Reason for request

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Relevant clinical information about the condition

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
All conservative options that have been pursued unsuccessfully prior to referral
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Any special care requirements where relevant (e.g tracheostomy in place, oxygen required)
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient's Demographic Details

Full name (including aliases)
Date and country of birth
Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Name of delegate and contact details (Department of Corrective Services)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any special needs, access requirements and/or disability relevant to the referral

Referring Practitioner Details

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature
Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

Other relevant information

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Essential Referral Information

Past medical history, current medications
Previous cancer treatment details
Histopathology
FBC, ELFT, prostate-specific antigen level, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) results
Serial PSA results
Either a PSMA PET scan results or CT chest abdomen and pelvis and bone scan

Additional Referral Information

Any relevant XR results and/or relevant CT results

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Not Available

Internal Referrals

Medical Oncology (E-Blueslips)

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Cancer Referral Centre,
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

(07) 5687 2708

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

HealthPathways home page

Service Availability

Dr Marcin Dzienis

Medical Director Radiation Oncology (ICON Cancer Care)

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Prostate CancerAdult