Updated Diagnostic Standards of Care and NOLCP from the Lung Cancer Clinical Expert Group

The Clinical Expert Group (CEG) for Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma has recently produced latest iterations of the National Diagnostic Standards of Care (DSOC), National Optimal Lung-Cancer Pathway (NOLCP) – both summary and detailed versions - and the National Optimum Genomic and Molecular Pathway. 

These updated documents can be accessed on the CEG page of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s website here (see first four documents): https://roycastle.org/for-healthcare-professionals/clinical-expert-group/

The DSOCs set out the gold-standard diagnostic approach for people with suspected thoracic cancers — from common lung cancers through to rare thoracic tumours including well-differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumours, mesothelioma and thymic malignancies. They complement the NOLCP and should be read alongside the main pathways, pathway detail and good practice notes. Pathway detail has been added to the NOLCP for diffuse pleural mesothelioma, lung carcinoid / NET and Thymic malignancy. 

Each DSOC is a single-page, at-a-glance guide to the right tests, in the right order, within the right timeframes, designed to drive earlier diagnosis, accurate staging and faster access to treatment.  Printed copies are also being produced.