What should you know about early stages of lung cancer?

Staging describes whether a lung tumour is limited to one lung, involves nearby lymph nodes or has reached structures outside the chest. CT, PET or other imaging and a biopsy help establish this picture. Genomic Tumour Profiling may identify changes in tumour cells that influence later medicine choices.

Early disease can cause no noticeable symptoms. A persistent cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort or a Hoarse Voice can have many explanations, so a symptom alone cannot establish the diagnosis.

For a person who can have an operation, Lung Lobectomy may remove the lobe containing the tumour and nearby lymph nodes. Radiotherapy can be considered when surgery is unsuitable or when focused treatment is needed. Chemotherapy may be offered before or after local treatment, depending on the stage and tumour features.

Bring medication and smoking history to the consultation. Ask about breathing tests, recovery planning, nutrition and pulmonary rehabilitation. Palliative Care can support symptoms and wellbeing at any stage alongside cancer treatment.

Get urgent help for severe breathlessness, coughing up more than a small streak of blood, new chest pain, confusion, fainting or blue lips. During treatment, report fever, rapidly worsening breathing or an inability to keep fluids down using the urgent contact supplied by your team.

Ask: What is the stage and tumour type? Do I need genomic profiling? Is surgery or radiotherapy more suitable? Would chemotherapy be given before or after local treatment? What breathing tests and recovery support will I need?