Lung Cancer

This condition is treated in the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine clinic.

Emergency Referral Criteria

Criteria for Emergency include: 

Emergency Referral Criteria

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

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Statewide Referral Criteria (SRC)

Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services

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

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 GPS will be asked to 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

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 (Category 2)

• Nil category 2 criteria

Routine (Category 3)

• Nil category 3 criteria

Information to be included in the referral

(Referral may be returned without this)

Essential supporting information

Pathology

• FBC
• UEC
• LFT
• Ca/Mg/PO4

Imaging

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

Investigations/other

• Nil

Additional information

• Functional status (ECOG score)
• Current symptoms 
• Past medical history 
• Current medications 
• Previous cancer history including non-lung cancer treatment 
• Smoking history in pack years (pack years = number of years smoking x number of packs per day) 
• Occupational history (including any asbestos exposure) 

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:

HealthPathways Tasmania - Lung Cancer

HealthPathways Tasmania

Availability

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