Lung Cancer
The aim of the lung cancer multidisciplinary team is provide a high quality multi-professional approach offering individualized care to diagnose and manage all patients with lung cancer.
Symptoms
If your GP thinks your symptoms may be due to lung cancer, you will be given an appointment to see one of our specialists within two weeks. This is called the "fast track system".
It is important to remember that these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your GP who may refer you for further investigation.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- a persistent or worsening cough
- coughing up phlegm that has blood in it
- repeated chest infections that do not respond to antibiotics
- facial and/or neck swelling
- breathlessness
- pain on coughing or breathing
- a hoarse voice
- loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer affects the lungs and airways connected to the lungs. There are two main types of primary lung cancer, which behave and respond to treatment differently:
- small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
A less common type of lung cancer is called mesothelioma. This type of cancer affects the membrane which covers the surface of the lungs and lines the inside of the chest. It occurs in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Lung cancer can start in the lungs (primary lung cancer) and can also spread to other areas of the body (secondary tumour or metastasis).
Making the diagnosis will include a full clinical assessment, targeted investigations and a review of the results by the Multi-disciplinary team.
Treatment options depend on the type of cancer, where it is, whether it has spread outside the lung, what symptoms you have and other medical problems you have.
