breathing tests? Respiratory consultant

[mishamilo53]

hi everyone thanks so much for all your replies to my recent post, Im in awe of how many people dealing with their own diagnosis come on here to give support so thank you …. My first appointment has come through to attend the chest clinic for breathing tests and to meet the respiratory consultant ….. can anyway tell me what to expect ? I’ve only had the results of the ct scan so far so will this be to discuss the other tests to come …. Can they tell you anything about your tumour without those being done , I just need to prepare myself for any further news I guess thanks again

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello mishamilo53,

The process you are going through at the moment is very difficult as it will be a whole leap into unknown territory, going through the process of waiting for tests, results and appointments can understandably cause great anxiety.

Lung function tests are generally looking at how healthy your lung are and how well that they are performing, this gives the medical team a good idea how well you will be able to tolerate future investigations and treatments.

Below I have added a link to the NHS spirometry which will give you an idea of what to expect from this visit

nhs.uk/conditions/spirometry/

If there is anything else you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact us at email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[mishamilo53 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

thank you so much for your kind and informative reply

[IanM1957]

Hi mishamilo53

My first consultation was with a Registrar in Respiratory Medicine in the Chest Clinic - he did the usual observations, took some blood for tests, listened to my heart and lungs and did a basic Spirometry test.

He confirmed that the previous CT scan showed a mass and decided I should have a PET scan and then be followed up by his Consultant Chest Physician. Following the PET scan the Chest Physician immediately handed over my care to a specialist in thoracic cancer surgery so I was never seen in the Chest Clinic again - all further appointments were with the surgeon and/or oncologist in the local specialist cancer unit.

I suppose it all depends on where you live and what local facilities are available (I'm in East Yorkshire and am fortunate that there is a state of the art cancer centre and separate cardio-thoracic surgical centre in the grounds of what was once a "cottage hospital" only half an hour from home)

I suppose the only way your consultant(s) could tell you anything more specific about your tumour is to carry out a succesful needle biopsy (unfortunately my biopsy procedure did not harvest enough tissue from the tumour to allow for a proper analysis so I didn't get the diagnosis until after removal of the tumour - Adenocarcinoma with an EGFR Exon 19 deletion mutation)

Once again, all the best for your ongoing cancer journey, stay strong and positive!

[mishamilo53 in reply to IanM1957]

thank you so much for taking the time to reply , I appreciate it . I guess that’s what will happen at the appointment too then ….I’m being seen in Stockport kind regards stay well

[Elt79]

I too had all of these tests which I understood were to gauge how my lungs/heart function was. Basically to determine how well I would be able to tolerate whatever treatment was available/suitable. Following these I had PET scan and biopsy before being referred to oncologist. I remember thinking ‘just get on with treatment!’ Obviously now have better understanding of process but found it really hard at the outset so totally relate to how you must be feeling! Wishing you the best for speedy results and treatment plan x

[mishamilo53 in reply to Elt79]

thank you for the kind reply … it’s a tough call isn’t it this wait for all the tests to take place

[JanetteR57]

Others have already explained the lung function tests well - it's a waiting game for results but also often several tests involved so our lives can become dominated naturally by thoughts about all these and where it might be leading. The reason for so many tests are the need to ensure you have enough lung function when/if it does turn out to be cancer as some treatments affect breathing more than others and also if you would be fit for surgery if that might be an option. The different types of imaging are to show location of any tumour and any spread as again that may direct the type of treatment. It's good that there are now so many treatment types and combinations but the downside is the barrage of tests required at the start of this journey.

Be aware also that tests are done to eliminate things as well as rule things in - and they tend to wait until all the tests have been done, then gather the results, discuss a case at a multidisciplinary team before calling in the patient to meet a consultant to explain the results and treatment options.

Some also carry out walking tests (shuttle walk test) and sit to stand exercise but that's usually when somebody has been identified as a possible surgical candidate. The majority of surgery is now done by keyhole rather than the open surgery I had in Dec 2010 but the majority of UK patients aren't clinically eligible for surgery so there are many other treatments.

Meeting a respiratory consultant is good as they can also identify whether you have any other conditions such as COPD - as many patients already have damaged lungs so again this might influence treatment types if it does turn out to be something more serious.

hope this helps. good luck.

roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...

[mishamilo53 in reply to JanetteR57]

thank you for your kind and thorough reply . I’m walking in a whole new world of cancer terminology, it’s such a shock x

[JanetteR57 in reply to mishamilo53]

I still am 11 and a half years later - immersed in cancer research since 2013 - but we don't have to become scientists or medics - Roy Castle lung cancer foundation has plain English information on many aspects affecting us - regularly updated by clinicians and reviewed by a patient literature panel.

Also if there's anything you don't understand don't be afraid of asking your medical team - they sometimes forget that all these terms and acronyms are completely alien to their patients.... good luck.

[mishamilo53 in reply to JanetteR57]

thank you Janette x