Lung cancer

At Leeds we provides expert lung cancer diagnostic services, as well as regional services in thoracic surgery and oncology, all based at the Leeds Oncology Institute in Bexley Wing at St James’ University Hospital.

The lung cancer service is provided by four respiratory physicians, supported by two specialist registrars. The Lung MDT administrative and secretarial team provide invaluable support to ensure the service runs smoothly.

Key decisions regarding the management of each patient are made at the twice weekly MDT meetings which are attended by the respiratory physicians, radiologists, pathologists, thoracic surgeons, and both medical and clinical oncologists. Each of these specialists has a dedicated interest in thoracic oncology.

There is a dedicated team of clinical nurse specialists who provide support to each individual through the patient pathway from diagnosis through to treatment and follow up.

There is a strong commitment to research, and we are actively recruiting to a number of multicentre clinical trials within the field of thoracic oncology.

Respiratory Consultants

Mat Callister
Kirsty Rodger
Elankumaran Paramasivam
Jon Robson

Secretarial Support

Katie Bowman
Ami-Rose Connor

Lung MDT Admin Team

Cassy Billington
Emma Stoyles
Olivia Jarrad

Lung CNS Team

John White
Bea Sajjad
Marilyn Adams
Amanda Ashcroft

Bronchoscopy Staff

Pauline O’Leary
Amanda Lingard
Mandy Webb

Research Team

Vicki Ashford-Turner
Gemma Austin
Lucille Kenyon

Triage

All referrals for patients with suspected lung cancer are reviewed on a daily basis by one of the respiratory consultants. That patient will then either be booked in to the next available Fast Track Clinic appointment (within the next 2 weeks) or a CT scan may be arranged first depending on the reason for referral.

Diagnostic MDT

After CT scan has been done each case is discussed in the diagnostic MDT. At this meeting the diagnostic pathway is planned. All patients who are still suspected to have lung cancer following MDT discussion will be booked into Fast Track clinic if they have not already been seen.

Fast Track clinic

Fast track clinic is run every week on wednesday afternoons and friday mornings.
At this clinic the patients are given a 30 minute appointment with a doctor. They may have spirometry, blood tests or x-rays as needed at that appointment. If they require ultrasound guided needle aspiration of their neck glands this can usually also be arranged on the day. Other diagnostic or staging investigations and fitness tests will be arranged for the next week or so as appropriate.

Patients will also get the opportunity to meet one of the specialist nurse team. That specialist nurse will then act as the individuals’ keyworker throughout their care going forward.

At this appointment each patient receives a copy of the Lung Investigaton Booklet which has details of the common investigations that they are likely to require, as well as contact details for the team and details of their named consultant and nurse specialist.

Main MDT

After initial diagnostic, staging and fitness tests all patients are discussed at the Main MDT meeting. This meeting is attended by experts from a many different specialties, in order to plan and arrange any further tests that may be necessary, and to decide on the best treatment for each individual patient. Appointments can be made from the meeting with oncology or surgical specialists to plan this treatment.

Leeds Chest Clinic

Most patients who are referred with suspected lung cancer will have their first appointment at Leeds Chest Clinic, based at Leeds General Infirmay.

At this appointment each patient will have routine observations and spirometry followed by a consultation with a doctor. The clinic staff will do any blood tests that are required. Each patient will usually meet one of the specialist nurse team who will then support them through their diagnostic tests, treatment and follow up.

St James’ Institute of Oncology

The St James’s Institute of Oncology, housed in the purpose built state-of-the-art Bexley Wing provides a world-class service to cancer patients from across the region and beyond.

After the initial appointment, which is usually at Leeds Chest Clinic, most clinic appointments and treatment will be provided here. The twice weekly MDT meetings also take place here.

David Beevers Unit

The Bronchoscopy department is located within the David Beevers Unit, located in Lincoln Wing, St James Hospital. The bronchoscopy department is staffed by a dedicated team of nurses.

A number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are carried out here, including;
– Flexible fibre-optic bronchoscopy
– Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
– Indwelling pleural catheter placement
– Medical thoracoscopy

Survivorship Programme

In addition to providing high quality treatment for people with cancer we hope to ensure that our cancer patients get the help and support they need to live as healthy and active a life as possible. To help our patients to achieve this we have set up a survivorship programme for patients after they have had their treatment. As part of this programme we carry out a holistic assessment of the needs of each individual, after they have completed treatment, so that we can help them to adjust to life beyond cancer.

Pleural Service

Within David Beevers Unit we provide diagnostic and therapeutic pleural interventions to patients with lung or pleural malignancy. We also offer a service to patients from other specialties with malignant pleural disease. We have set up a pleural clinic where these patients can be assessed with a view to indwelling pleural catheter placement or other interventions as appropriate.

Pulmonary Nodule Follow up

We have a number of patients referred to us because a CT scan has shown a pulmonary nodule. These usually need to be followed up with CT scans but do not cause any symptoms or need any treatment. We offer telephone follow up for these patients after each scan so they do not need to attend a hospital outpatient appointment.

Early diagnosis of lung cancer means that more effective treatment can be given.  A large scale local public awareness campaign has been undertaken in Leeds to raise people’s awareness of the warning signs, working with local GPs to encourage early referral for chest x-ray, and encouraging patients to self-refer for a chest x-ray if they have symptoms.

Early diagnosis of lung cancer means that more effective treatment can be given.  A large scale local public awareness campaign has been undertaken in Leeds to raise people’s awareness of the warning signs, working with local GPs to encourage early referral for chest x-ray, and encouraging patients to self-refer for a chest x-ray if they have symptoms.

As a department we are actively recruiting to a number of national lung cancer trials.  Our research nurses are available to discuss the details of these trials with any patients who are interested in participating.