In the UK, staging of lung cancer is time consuming (taking on average more than 3 weeks), costly and inaccurate in up to 20% of cases. The investigators wish to determine whether using the newer techniques of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) improves lung cancer staging. The investigators' hypothesis is that EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) or EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspirate) as a first test after CT scan in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer will result in a reduction in the time from first outpatient appointment to treatment decision, a reduction in the total number of scans and investigative operations, fewer outpatient attendances and a reduction in healthcare costs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
168
Patients with anterior mediastinal or subcarinal disease will undergo EBUS. Patients with posterior, subcarinal or AP window disease will undergo EUS. Patients with no mediastinal disease on CT scan will undergo EBUS.
Investigations will be determined by the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the patient
Barnet General Hospital
London, United Kingdom
North Middlesex University Hospital
London, United Kingdom
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom
University College London Hospital NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom
Time from first outpatient appointment to decision to treat
Time frame: 1 - 3 months
The healthcare costs for diagnosing and staging lung cancer
Time frame: End of study
The number of tests and outpatient visits a patient requires to be diagnosed and staged with lung cancer
Time frame: 1 - 3 months
The proportion of lung cancer patients that are diagnosed and staged with a single test after CT scan
Time frame: 1 - 3 months
The time from first outpatient appointment to treatment
Time frame: 1 - 3 months
The number of futile thoracotomies
Time frame: 1 - 3 years
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