Lung cancer second opinion

What is a second opinion for lung cancer? 

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and feel unsure about your diagnosis or treatment plan, it’s normal to want to seek additional reassurance. Our respiratory specialists can provide clarity about your condition and your proposed treatment plan, and can give additional advice, even if you have already seen another lung cancer expert. 

During your second opinion journey, our specialists will review your medical history, including any scans and diagnoses you have previously had, and will create a written report for you within 1 working week. 

Harefield Hospital is recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for lung care, with consultants renowned for treating some of the most complex lung cancer cases. Your second opinion will be guided by the expertise of our dedicated specialist team.

Our expertise in lung cancer diagnosis 

Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals are world-leading centres for lung care, diagnosing and treating hundreds of lung cancer patients each year. 

If our consultants suspect you may have lung cancer, they may refer you for tests including: 

• blood tests to diagnose any infections or other causes of your symptoms 
• chest X-rays to detect cancerous masses 
• CT scans to provide detailed images of your lungs 
• PET-CT scans to show the position of active cells 
• lung biopsies to take a small sample of tissues from your lungs/airways 

If you need a biopsy, our specialists offer: 

• a bronchoscopy (a thin tube is inserted through your mouth or nose). Our experts use the latest Ion robot-assisted lung cancer biopsy technology to take samples of tumours when they are still very small for a better chance of treatment success
• percutaneous needle biopsy (a needle is placed directly through the skin into the lungs)
• thoracoscopy or mediastinoscopy (tubes with cameras are inserted into the chest through surgical incisions)

Our lung biopsy service has excellent outcomes. Over the period from 2019-2021 (our last service audit), we demonstrated: 

• 0% 30-day mortality 
• 100% diagnostic accuracy 
• 94% same-day discharge

Our expertise in lung cancer treatment

Our consultants are pioneers in minimally invasive lung cancer procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, with an international reputation in this field. 

We work closely with lung cancer experts at Royal Marsden Hospital in London and Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood, where patients can receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, while our specialists provide innovative, life-saving procedures at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. 

We offer: 

• lung tumour ablation 
• endobronchial tumour ablation 
• percutaneous tumour ablation 
• awake ablation 
• single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) 
• robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) 
• day case lobectomy 
• cryotherapy pain relief for chest surgery 

To learn more about options for lung cancer treatment with our specialists, contact our team today.

Who may need a second opinion for lung cancer?

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and would like additional reassurance or to learn more alternative treatment plans, our lung specialists can help. You may seek a second opinion: 

• for peace of mind 
• to confirm the diagnosis and staging 
• to verify a treatment plan suggested by another provider 
• to receive a more personalised treatment plan 
• to explore alternative treatment options 
• to determine eligibility for newer therapies 
• to evaluate your surgical options 

If a family member or carer contacts our specialists for a second opinion on your behalf, they must ensure they have your consent, and they should also have access to all the information about your lung cancer diagnosis. 

What does a lung cancer second opinion involve? 

We understand that receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer can be overwhelming, and understanding all the treatment options available is an important part of making decisions about your care. 

At Harefield Hospital, we offer a consultant-led lung cancer second opinion service, providing patients with access to a team of internationally recognised experts in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Appointments with our team can be either in-person or remote. 

Our specialists recognise that every patient’s case is unique. Our multidisciplinary team (MDT) carefully reviews all information, including previous scans, biopsy results, molecular testing and treatment recommendations, ensuring that we consider every option. 

The lung cancer second opinion service is especially relevant for patients with complex lung cancer, those who may have been advised that their treatment options are limited, or for anyone seeking reassurance that they have explored all available options. 

Once we receive your initial enquiry, our patient pathway includes: 

• a consultation with a specialist within 48 hours
• expert lung cancer MDT review within 5 working days
• follow-up consultation with a clear treatment plan

Our MDT includes thoracic surgeons, chest physicians, medical and clinical oncologists, specialist thoracic radiologists, palliative care consultants, pathologists and lung cancer clinical nurse specialists. 

As one of the UK’s leading heart and lung centres, Harefield Hospital offers access to the latest advances in lung cancer care, including robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, complex thoracic surgery, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, advanced radiotherapy techniques and image-guided treatments. 

How can you access a second opinion

Our specialists can provide you with an expert second opinion for lung cancer with the following process: 

1. Select your consultant: You can request a particular specialist to receive your second opinion from. Our full list of private consultants can be viewed here. Alternatively, you can contact our customer care team who will be able to advise you on which specialist might best suit your requirements.
2. Contact our customer care team to register your details with us.
3. Provide further details by completing our second opinion request form. This is where you should share details of previous scans and diagnoses with our team.
4. Receive your quote and make payment.
5. Receive your second opinion report: Your initial report will be sent via email, and you will receive a physical copy of your report in the post shortly after.

What information should you provide?

Our lung cancer specialists will require a thorough description of your medical history, including the diagnoses you have previously received, any treatment plans you’re currently on or medication you’re taking, and symptoms you are experiencing. 

Further investigations may be requested if our consultants require more detail than is visible in your shared scans. Please contact our customer care team to find out more about sharing your scans with our team of specialists. 

Results

Once our lung cancer experts have received your medical records, you will receive your second opinion report and all the supporting information in as little as 1 working week. 

For especially complex cases, the process may take longer; our team will keep you fully informed if this applies to you.