We look after patients with all types of primary lung cancer (cancer which has started in the lungs) and mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining). We work as part of a wider team to provide care.
The team is here to provide expert support, information and guidance. This covers the time from first investigations through your treatment and into follow-up care.
It includes:
These doctors are usually consultants in respiratory medicine with a special interest in lung cancer.
These are senior nurses who have lots of experience in different areas. This includes critical care, palliative care and oncology.
We provide care for patients with suspected or confirmed lung cancer throughout their journey.
We support patients though their pathway from initial assessment and diagnostic tests to treatment through to post treatment care and follow-up.
You may be referred to us in several ways.
Most people are referred:
- By their GP
- After taking part in a lung screening programme
- If abnormalities are found on a chest x-ray or CT scan
You may receive an initial phone call from one of the lung cancer nurse specialists. They will ask some questions about your health.
Otherwise you will be offered a face-to-face appointment where you will meet the medical and specialist nursing teams.
At your first visit, we will usually do some detailed breathing tests and blood tests. We will then arrange other outpatient investigations to help us work out the best treatment plan for you. This could be a camera test or a biopsy procedure.
The doctor or nurse will ask questions to better understand your symptoms and your risk factors for developing a lung cancer.
These questions will cover:
- Recent symptoms
- Medical conditions you have now and in the past
- Medications you are taking
- If you smoke now or if you have smoked in the past
- Your job or occupation
We will also need to assess your overall fitness based on day-to-day activities over the past few weeks or months.
There are several tests that can be used to diagnose lung cancer. It depends on where the abnormality is. The tests include:
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CT scan - a very detailed type of x-ray. This will usually have been done before your first appointment.
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PET scan – a special type of scan which can help determine if a cancer has spread
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Bronchoscopy – this involves inserting a thin camera through your mouth to see inside your airways. The doctor can take biopsies (samples of the tissue inside your airways) at the same time
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CT guided biopsy – a sample of tissue is taken by a specially trained x-ray doctor
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Thoracoscopy – this test looks at the lining of the lungs and the chest wall
Most of the procedures take place at our hospitals as an outpatient under sedation (medications to make you drowsy) or using local anaesthetic. You will usually be able to go home the same day.
Once biopsies are taken, these go to the laboratory for analysis.
Sometimes investigations which require a general anaesthetic are needed. A thoracic surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle does these. We will talk to you in detail about this if needed.
After your tests, we will talk about the results at our wider team meeting. This meeting includes respiratory doctors, lung cancer specialist nurses, a thoracic surgeon, specialist radiology and pathology doctors, oncologists (doctors who specialise in the treatment of cancer) and a palliative care specialist nurse.
This team will consider the treatment options based on all the information they have from your tests.
Treatment options will depend on factors including:
- Type of cancer (obtained from a biopsy)
- Stage of cancer (whether it has spread within or outside of the lungs)
- Your overall fitness
Treatment options include lung surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We sometime use these options in combination.
In some cases, treatment can be too difficult or risky for you. We might therefore recommend treating your symptoms without specific anti-cancer treatment.
Getting a lung cancer diagnosis is life-changing. You may experience many different emotions. It is normal and understandable to feel distressed and worried.
There is support available for you from your healthcare team. The cancer psychology team can help you and your family discuss your worries.
Talk to a member of your healthcare team about a referral. There are also charities who provide information and support. More information is in the useful links section on this page.
Information about lung cancer:
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Breathlessness:
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EGFR positive lung cancer:
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ALK positive lung cancer:
Support for patients and families:
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Support groups
Asbestos Related Lung Cancer - Readley Asbestos and Mesothelioma Support - https:/