Lung Cancer

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

  • Suspected lung cancer*
  • Lung mass for assessment
  • All cases will be viewed as urgent
  • Referrals can be made to the Department of Respiratory Medicine in your region.
  • Cases can be discussed with the Respiratory Registrar or the Consultant on call (contact via Switch in your area)

All referrals should comply with the Referral Standards and specifically include:

  • Recent symptoms
  • Smoking history
  • Occupational history, including prior asbestos exposure
  • Functional status (ECOG score)

Tests

Pathology:

  • FBC,
  • UEC,
  • LFT,
  • Ca/Mg/PO4

Imaging:

  • Relevant imaging (CXR/CT) (including previous images)

Investigations:

  • Nil

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Lung cancer should be considered if potential symptoms/signs of lung cancer including unexplained haemoptysis, new or changed cough, chest and/or shoulder pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, anorexia, weight loss, unresolved chest infection, abnormal chest signs clubbing, cervical and/or supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, features suggestive of metastasis from the  lung (brain, bone, liver, skin) pleural effusion, SVC obstruction, stridor are unexplained and greater than 3 weeks in duration.

Please refer to the Cancer Council of Australia website for GP advice regarding the investigation and management of patients with suspected lung cancer.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Suspected or known lung cancer with any of the following concerning features:
-  large haemoptysis
-  suspected large airway obstruction 
-  acutely unwell with dyspnoeic 
-  severe hypercalcaemia

Urgent / category 1

lung mass/es
suspected lung cancer - ensure all signs/symptoms of lung cancer included in referral detail

All referrals are considered urgent, please also select urgent flag.

For all referrals, please select any relevant presenting signs/symptoms of lung cancer below (where unexplained/present for 3 weeks or more)

unexplained haemoptysis
new or changed cough
chest and/or shoulder pain
shortness of breath
hoarseness
anorexia
weight loss
unresolved chest infection
abnormal chest signs clubbing
cervical and/or supraclavicular hymphadenopathy
features suggestive of metastasis from the lung (brain, bone, liver, skin)
pleural effusion
SVC obstruction
stridor

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks.

Patients with suspected lung cancer will be seen within one week.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Respiratory Department and/or the relevant doctor for urgent assessment.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks.

Routine:

Next available appointment.