Via practica 5/2014

Rapid diagnostics of lung cancer – what is the role of a general practitioner?

Patients with lung cancer are waiting more or less at every step of their journey leading from symptoms to treatment. How much can the waiting be dangerous for the patient is disputable. The rapid diagnostics is in any case preferable. General practitioner can help in the rapid diagnostics mainly by prompt recognition of suspected lung cancer cases. Good knowledge of epidemiologic data about lung cancer in the region, lung cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms of lung cancer, and timely consultation of pulmonologist can be helpful.

Keywords: lung cancer, rapid diagnostics, general practitioner.