Early Cancer Diagnostic Clinic (ECDC)
The aim of the early cancer diagnostic clinic is to swiftly investigate patients with nonspecific symptoms in an effort to pick up cancers at an earlier stage.
Completing the ECDC referral
Location: SCI Gateway in DGRI sub-section Clinical Oncology. Please ensure the patient is aware they have been referred on a suspicion of cancer pathway.
This pathway is open to all patients aged 18 years or older who meet the referral criteria listed below who are not suitable for pre-existing site specific Urgent Suspicion of Cancer pathways. We are also happy to be contacted for advice on patients who meet the criteria for two or more cancer pathways.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe unexplained fatigue
- Persistent nausea or appetite loss
- New unexplained pain (abdominal /back/bone)
- New unexplained laboratory results eg hypocalcaemia or thrombocytopenia
- GP – ‘gut feeling’ of cancer diagnosis
Inclusion Criteria
- There is no other urgent suspicion of cancer referral pathway for this clinical scenario
- Patient is well enough to attend as an outpatient and does not need admission
- All the mandatory filter tests listed below have been done
- Able and willing to attend an all day diagnostic clinic at short notice
Exclusion Criteria
- Patient already on Site Specific Cancer Pathway
- Symptoms most likely related to a recurrent cancer
- Patients previously seen in the ECDC within the last 3 months with no new symptoms
- Patients who have a CT CAP within the last 3 months showing no suspicion of malignancy
- A serious non-cancer diagnosis is suspected
- Patients registered with GP as a temporary resident
Mandatory Filter Tests (all done within last 8 weeks)
There is an OrderComs bundle called ECDC Referral Tests
- Urinalysis
- FBC/ESR
- CRP
- U&Es
- LFTs
- TFTs
- Fasting Glucose or HbA1c (If fasting glucose or HbA1c is newly raised please request faecal elastase) Bone
- PSA (Men)
- CA125 (Women)
- FIT Test (using FIT test sample kit)
- Ferritin and Iron Studies
- HIV
The pathway also allows for Advice requests.
Please contact us if you have any questions via e-mail at [email protected]