History
The Division of Oncology in Florence, which is part of the Oncology Department of the Azienda USL Toscana Centro, includes four medical oncology and one onco-hematology units. The Division has always been integrated with the Palliative Care Coordination of the Azienda USL Toscana Centro and provides psychological support for patients and family members through a close collaboration with the Division of Psycho-Oncology. Since 2009 a simultaneous care model for all cancer patients has been implemented.
Profile
The Division of Oncology is located in five different hospitals: the “Nuovo San Giovanni di Dio” hospital, in Florence; the “Santa Maria Nuova” hospital, in the city center of Florence; the “Santa Maria Annunziata”, “Serristori” and “Borgo San Lorenzo” hospitals, outside the city of Florence.
The units have a total of 50 beds/seats in a day-hospital setting for diagnosis, staging and treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies. All medical services are provided on an outpatient basis.
The team consists of 23 oncologists and 6 hematologists operating in the 5 different hospitals with a catchment area of more than 800,000 people.
Specialities
Our Division is committed to diagnosis, staging and treatment of all cancer patients, and it has long-standing experience in treating solid and hematological tumors. The Division promotes a multidisciplinary approach to cancer due to close collaboration among various specialists through multidisciplinary oncology groups. Across the Division a continuous effort is made to the development and implementation of clinical research policies and procedures, and translational research.
Palliative and Supportive Care
A simultaneous care model for all cancer patients and their family has been implemented in the last 10 years, becoming progressively integrated into our current practice. The integrated oncology and palliative care approach in an ambulatory care setting implements the continuity of care between the oncologist or the hematologist and the palliative team, reducing the feeling of abandonment in the patient and family during and after the transition from active treatment to palliative care, and improving the tolerability of the active treatment.
Patients with advanced solid tumors or hematological malignancies, and a prognosis of one year or less to live, which are receiving active treatment, are referred, after a multidisciplinary patient evaluation, to the palliative care services to ensure early integration of palliative cancer care. The early indication for taking charge of patients is carried out in a multidisciplinary manner by the oncologist or the hematologist and the palliativist, which jointly define an individualized plan. Visits with a member of the palliative care team are scheduled, after the initial consultation, at the discretion of the palliative care provider. Follow-up is carried out by telephone, or more often during the oncologist’s or hematologist’s evaluation or on therapy day, if this is more convenient for the patient.
Last update: November 2022
