One of Australia's most prestigious oncology centres is preparing for massive impacts from the coronavirus pandemic with a worst-case scenario seeing all but the most urgent treatments suspended.

Key points: Internal hospital documents from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre reveal COVID-19 planning for cancer patients

Internal hospital documents from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre reveal COVID-19 planning for cancer patients The documents show that in the worst-case scenario, only treatment for immediately life-threatening cancer will be available

The documents show that in the worst-case scenario, only treatment for immediately life-threatening cancer will be available The centre said there was currently no impact to services and that it is working with the health department

Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre's internal "medical oncology clinical response plan" outlines five levels of treatment restrictions based on an anticipated reduction in staff due to the pandemic.

The document obtained by the ABC states: "The COVID-19 epidemic is expected to have a major impact on staffing levels, which in turn will decrease capacity to administer chemotherapy and immunotherapy."

Staffing levels at hospitals around the country are already coming under pressure. Last week, 100 staff from Melbourne's the Alfred Hospital's haematology and oncology department were sent into self-isolation after the deaths of three patients.

In Sydney, two radiation therapists at Westmead hospital have contracted the virus, sending more than 20 staff and patients into quarantine.

In a worst-case scenario, routine treatment would be suspended and only immediately life-threatening situations would be responded to. That would only happen if staffing levels dropped below 10 per cent.

The leaked document indicates a graduating series of scenarios. ( Supplied )

"Underlying principles of the medical oncology plan will be to minimise patient attendance at the hospital, and to minimise the risk of complications requiring inpatient admission and in particular ICU admission," the document states.

COVID-19 FAQs The Cancer Council has produced a detailed series of Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19. If you have questions or concerns, call the National Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 or visit the Cancer Council's website.

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre told the ABC it is only at level one of its response plan, which means treatment is continuing and there has been no impact on services.

"The threat of coronavirus means we have a responsibility to plan diligently and that's why we undertake scenario planning to ensure that our patients get the care they need throughout this pandemic," a statement read.

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Treatments delayed and telehealth rolled out

According to Cancer Council chief executive Sanchia Aranda, non-urgent surgeries have already been delayed across the country and hospitals have made changes to the ways treatments are being delivered.

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"They are moving rapidly into telehealth consultations, particularly for follow-up appointments, so that patients have to attend the hospital less and they are also refining treatment regimens so they use less of the system delivery so that's particularly true in radiotherapy," she said.

People with cancer are among those who are at high risk of complications if infected with COVID-19.

"All hospitals around the country will be undertaking contingency planning for their wards to ensure critical treatments continue during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure hospitals are adequately prepared for an influx of patients," said Professor Aranda.

"Whilst these plans do investigate worst case scenarios, this does not mean these scenarios will occur."

Professor Aranda said the Cancer Council and other charities have seen an increase in calls related to COVID-19 and increased anxiety from patients worried they won't be able to get the treatment they need.

"At the moment it's really important that people understand that, if you get a cancer diagnosis, while your care might be slightly different than it would have been a couple of months ago, it won't be poorer quality and you still have an equal chance" she said.

Sydney grandfather Alan Pratt is one of those waiting for surgery, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in February this year.

Alan Pratt (second from right) was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February. ( Supplied )

"I met with a radiation oncologist and learned what that would mean and then went back to the surgeon to talk about our preference for treatment," Mr Pratt told the ABC.

"It was on the day of the meeting with the surgeon that the word came down that surgery at the hospital had been deferred."

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That news was delivered by Henry Woo, a urological surgeon at Sydney Adventist Hospital.

"It is heartbreaking to contact your own patients who already have treatment booked in and to advise them that their surgery is going to have to be delayed," Professor Woo said.

"At this point in time, urgent cancer patients are going to be treated, the unknown is how we are going to deal with those who have been deferred."

Professor Woo said it was safe to defer surgery in cases of slow-growing and early-stage cancers such as prostate cancer, although there could be unintended additional costs because of extra monitoring.

"It is highly likely that those patients who have had their treatment deferred are going to require more blood tests or x-rays to keep a closer eye on their cancers, and hopefully with that strategy we are going to see any patients harmed by this deferral kept to an absolute minimum," he said.

Mr Pratt remains upbeat despite the many unknowns that come with receiving a cancer diagnosis in the midst of a pandemic.

Alan Pratt remains upbeat despite his diagnosis. ( Supplied )

"As we're continually told: we are all in this together," he said.

"This worrying won't help, as my dear old father used to say. You worry about those things over which you have control."

The source of the documents provided to the ABC that contained the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre's worst-case scenario plans requested to remain anonymous, but said they were deeply concerned about cancer patients.

"The effect of this coronavirus on cancer patients is going to be felt acutely as well as long-reaching," they said.

"I want the public to know the gravity of the situation, and how important flattening the curve is.

"When things get severe enough, what this document basically reflects is that cancer patients will be left without any surgery, without any urgent chemo or radiation therapy."

The centre said in a statement that it was working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to support its role in the pandemic response.

"We've also embarked on a major expansion of telehealth so patients can get treatment without leaving home," it said.

It also offered advice for every Australian to help protect cancer patients: "By staying at home, slowing the spread of coronavirus and helping to flatten the curve."