ENT cancer
Definition/Description
Create and process referral request via Gateway
Red Flag Symptoms
- Unexplained and persisting hoarseness for >6 weeks (lung cancer excluded)
- High / cervical dysphagia persisting for > 3 weeks
- Unilateral nasal obstruction Unexplained and persistent lump / mass in neck
- Thyroid lump where scan has shown suspicious features (include scan report)
Guidelines on Management
If your patient does not meet any of the NICE defined USC criteria please liaise (by phone or Advice and Guidance) with a specialist or send them in as an urgent referral. Please do not annotate USC forms with your own criteria.
Patient awareness
- Confirm that your patient understands that they have been referred onto a “suspected cancer pathway”
- Confirm that your patient has received the information leaflet
- Confirm that your patient is available to attend an appointment within 2 weeks of this referral
Referral Criteria/Information
Additional Resources & Reference
GIRFT Best Practice Timed Diagnostic Cancer Pathways
Faster diagnostic pathways
Implementing a timed head and neck cancer diagnostic pathway
Associated Policies
There are no associated policies.
Places covered by
- vale-of-york
Hospital Trusts
- york-and-scarborough-teaching-hospitals
Date created: 28/08/2025, 14:01
Last modified: 09/09/2025, 10:53
Date of review: