NICE issues guidance for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer

Guidelines for achieving earlier diagnosis, greater use of evidence based treatments, and better coordination of care for patients with lung cancer have been published for England and Wales this week. The recommendations, from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), are aimed at improving the poor survival rates from lung cancer.

The guidelines recommend urgent referral for chest x ray examination for anyone with haemoptysis or unexplained or persistent symptoms that might indicate lung cancer, including cough, chest pain, dyspnoea, or weight loss. Patients whose …