Terms Used by NICE Guideline
Definitions
| Terms | Description |
|---|---|
| Suspected cancer pathway referral | To receive a diagnosis OR exclusion of cancer within 28 days of being referred |
| Immediate | To occur within a few hours, or even more quickly |
| Very Urgent | To occur within 48 hours |
| Urgent | To occur within 2 weeks |
Lung Cancers
Suspected Cancer Pathway Referral
Refer for an appointment within 2 weeks if:
- >40 y/o + unexplained haemoptysis, OR
- Chest X-ray findings that suggest lung cancer
Offer Urgent Chest X-ray
If >40 y/o AND 2 or more of the following unexplained symptoms OR 1 or more of the following if they have ever smoked:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
Consider Urgent Chest X-ray
If >40 y/o AND any of the following:
- Persistent / recurrent chest infection
- Finger clubbing
- Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy or persistent cervical lymphadenopathy
- Thrombocytosis
- Chest signs consistent with lung cancer
Mesothelioma
Suspected Cancer Pathway Referral
If chest X-ray findings suggest mesothelioma.
Offer Urgent Chest X-ray
If >40 y/o AND 2 or more of the following unexplained symptoms OR 1 or more of the following if they have ever smoked Or 1 or more of the following if they have been exposed to asbestos:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
Consider Urgent Chest X-ray
If >40 y/o AND any of the following:
- Finger clubbing
- Chest signs compatible with pleural disease