Friday 27th November 2020 Missed our free GatewayC webinar on Improving Early Diagnosis? Watch our recording here. In this webinar, GatewayC met Dr Anthony Cunliffe, Joint National Lead Macmillan GP Adviser, and Dr Ben Noble, East Midlands Cancer Alliance and Cancer...
Thursday 19th November 2020 Did you miss our free webinar on Lung Cancer vs COVID-19? Watch it here. Beginning a conversation on the topic of resuscitation with your patient and their families can be difficult. Often, resuscitation is best discussed in the context of...
Potential pitfall: In the early course of the disease, pancreatic cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms. However, sudden onset diabetes in groups of patients for whom this would be unexpected can be an early indicator. Helpful hint: NICE NG12 guidelines recommend...
Potential pitfall: Jaundice can be a classic symptom of pancreatic cancer; about half of patients have jaundice when they first go to their GP. Yet, pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose as symptoms can vary or may be late, vague and non-specific. Helpful hint:...
Reactive thrombocytosis can be indicator for several underlying causes, which are either self-limiting or serious. These can include infection (e.g. H.pylori), inflammation, blood loss, anaemia and a number of cancers.
Helpful hint
Depending on the presentation, NICE NG12 guidelines advise the need to investigate thrombocytosis for suspected cancer using the acronym L.E.G.O, in the following sites:
Lung: consider an urgent chest x-ray in patients over 40
Endometrial: consider an ultrasound for women over 55 with unexplained vaginal discharge or visible haematuria
Gastric: consider non-urgent direct access upper GI endoscopy for patients over 55 when present with relevant symptoms
Oesophageal: consider non-urgent direct access upper GI endoscopy for patients over 55 when present with relevant symptoms
A study by The British Journal of General Practice suggests that thrombocytosis can also be a marker of colorectal cancer, thus suggesting the use of the acronym LEGO-C to include colorectal cancer.
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