Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages but symptoms eventually include a persistent cough, coughing up blood and breathlessness.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body's organs. It mainly affects the lining of the lungs.

We provide the best possible care for patients who have symptoms of lung cancer. We provide support, information, counselling and education to you and your relatives and carers throughout the process of diagnosis and treatment.

A cancer diagnosis has a huge impact on patients and carers, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of care for all our patients at every stage in their pathway.

What we do

Patients with suspected lung cancer are referred to one of our fast-track clinics. Here, the doctor will examine you and might request a number of investigations, including biopsies, scans and ultrasounds.

If you have symptoms of lung cancer, you will be looked after by our specialist nurses. They will help to coordinate your care, from referral, diagnosis to treatment and through to follow-up care. Your nurse will be a familiar face who can provide support for you and your family. They will also provide information on tests, investigation and treatment options, give help and advice on symptom control and act as your link to other professionals and support services.

As part of your treatment, you may require surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Treatment

Treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team but could include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy - is given either palliatively, radically or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

• Immunotherapy - systemic anti cancer treatment which activates the immune system to attack the cancer

• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest. During a VATS procedure, a tiny camera and surgical tools are inserted into the chest through one or more small cuts in the chest wall.

• Thoracotomy - to gain access to the pleural space in more complex cases during investigation