Lung Cancer (Oncology)
Adult

Medical Oncology

Useful Management Information

  • Suspected lung cancers (mass on chest XR or CT chest) need to be referred to Respiratory services for work-up. Specialist review optimally should be within 2 weeks
  • Most referrals for locally advanced disease for concurrent chemotherapy and radiation come through respiratory or cardio-thoracic team and after MDT review
  • Suspected spinal cord compression, superior vena cava syndrome (SVC), massive haemoptysis, very high calcium (>3.0mmol/L), febrile neutropenia need to be referred to emergency urgently
  • Lung cancer patients diagnosed and treated via an MDT have improved outcomes
  • For patients with incurable (metastatic or recurrent) cancer, consideration of the following:
    • documentation of discussions with the patient (and their carers where appropriate) regarding the intent of treatment (anti-cancer therapy to improve quality of life and/or longevity without expectation of cure or symptom palliation), the patient’s prognosis and their understanding of their prognosis
    • whether Advance Care Planning (ACP) conversations have been undertaken and their outcome
    • specific patient goals and values that may impact treatment choices
    • whether the patient has been referred to a palliative or supportive care service
    • Investigating symptoms of lung cancer - a guide for GPs
    • Optimal care pathway for people with lung cancer
    • Quick reference guide

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • All small cell lung cancer does not need emergency treatment (see emergency ). For optimum care, the patient should be seen within 2 weeks.

Biopsy proven non-small cell lung cancer

  • Locally advanced disease for concurrent chemotherapy and radiation
  • Metastatic disease
  • Adjuvant treatment following curative surgery
  • Recurrence following previous treatment
  • (Patients on surveillance after previous treatment for lung malignancy may be referred directly to medical oncology )
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Patients with previously treated lung cancer
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • No category 3 criteria

Essential Referral Information

GP Essential Referral Information

  • Past medical history, current medications
  • Smoking history
  • Previous cancer treatment details
  • FBC
  • ELFT
  • Any relevant XR results +/- relevant CT reports
  • CT chest, upper abdomen and pelvis
  • If available attach CT or MRI of the brain and bone scan

Specialist Essential Referral Information (in addition to the criteria above)

  • Tissue pathology +/- cytology results
  • Physiological assessment - pulmonary function test if applicable
  • Bronchoscopy including endobronchial USS (EBUS) if applicable
  • PET scan reports for selected patients

Additional Referral Information

  • No additional referral information
Last updated 16 July 2021

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Not Available

Internal Referrals

Medical Oncology (E-Blueslips)

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Cancer Referral Centre,
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

(07) 5687 2708

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Marcin Dzienis
Medical Director Radiation Oncology (ICON Cancer Care)

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Gold Coast Health - For Clinicians
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