Lung cancer
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Lung cancers are cancers of the lungs and respiratory system. There are three main types of lung cancer: Small cell, Non Small cell, and Mesothelioma.
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers a comprehensive diagnostic service including lung function testing, a dedicated unit to perform bronchoscopies, and specialist lung ultrasound or CT guided biopsy.
To further aid diagnosis, the Radiology Department at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a comprehensive imaging service (including MRI, CT and ultrasound technologies) while the Pathology service provides expert analysis of blood, cells and tissues.
We are also able to offer PET scanning as part of our diagnostic suite through agreements signed with other local trusts.
Treatments
Lung cancers are usually treated with either surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or a combination of treatments). The type of surgery needed and the particular combination of surgery and therapy will depend on the type and complexity of cancer.
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the sole provider of thoracic surgery for the hospitals in the southwest London cancer network, meaning we have excellent and well-staffed facilities to handle this. Due to our role as a surgery centre, patients diagnosed with lung cancer at sites such as St Helier, Mayday or Kingston, who are eligible for surgery, will have it here.
We are also able to provide chemotherapy onsite in both a day patient and inpatient setting.
Due to our close links with the Royal Marsden for patients requiring Radiotherapy we are able to offer the initial consultations here, followed by treatment at one of the Royal Marsden's two sites, Sutton and Fulham. The Royal Marsden's radiotherapists work closely with the St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust team, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care.
Key staff
The Lung cancer team is a specialist team formed from representatives of every part of the service a lung cancer patient might interact with during their diagnosis and treatment. This would include:
- The Doctors responsible for diagnosing the patient
- Specialist radiologists and histopathologists, responsible for analyzing any imagery and biological samples generated during the patients care
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Specialist surgeons, medical oncologists and clinical oncologists, responsible for the delivery of treatment
- Clinic staff and meeting co-ordinators, to track and follow patients through the system and cover their pathway end to end
