Centre of Oncology

The Centre of Oncology in our hospital is located in the Magdalena unit, where systemic cancer treatment has been provided since 2007. Systemic treatment includes chemotherapy (or cytostatic therapy), hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Systemic treatment may be the only method of treatment for some patients, or in other cases it can be combined with surgical or radiation therapy.

Oncologists are the specialists who refer patients to cancer treatment. We have a 24/7 on-call oncologist who is available for both consultations as well as outpatient appointments.

The Magdalena unit provides outpatient treatment, outpatient care and inpatient care.

From December 2020, our oncologists also offer systemic cancer treatment as an outpatient service at Kuressaare hospital.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient treatment includes patients who are in generally good condition and whose treatment consists of oral medicine or up to 4-hour drop infusion. The patient should definitely reserve time for the procedure and not schedule any time-bound activities for the day. It may happen that additional analyses are required or the treatment might not go as planned due to the patient’s individuality.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care is for patients who only need to remain at the hospital for a short period of time (4-10 hours) because of a treatment or studies. During the treatment, a constant nursing service is provided, as well as a convenient sofa bed, and the option to watch TV. When the treatment is over, the patient can go home on the same day.

Inpatient Care

We manage longer and more intensive regimens via inpatient care in the oncology department (11 beds). Additionally, we treat complications caused by chemotherapy in oncological inpatient care, for which hospital treatment is necessary.

Both inpatient and outpatient care patients have the possibility to familiarise themselves with different information sources on chemotherapy and ask for advice or discuss their problems with an experienced nurse.

Palliative Care

In addition to successful treatment, oncological patients consider a warm, understanding and supportive attitude to be invaluable. The goal of palliative care is to ensure the best possible quality of life for the patients and support patients and their loved ones throughout treatment. Our team, who works hard for those goals, includes oncologists, palliative care nurses,  a psychologist and a social worker. The centre also works closely with doctors, nurses and support specialists from the other departments of the hospital (e.g. nutritionists, pain management doctors, urology nurses, stoma care nurse, surgeons, wound care nurses, pastors, etc.) as well as the nursing clinic.