‘Oncology’ refers to the diagnosis and treatment of tumours and ‘thoracic’ to the organs and tissues in the chest cavity.
The MTOC is a comprehensive multidisciplinary unit, meaning we offer the full range of cancer management from diagnosis through to surgery and treatment. The centre brings together all the branches of medicine dealing with the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs. This includes: complex respiratory diagnostics, specialist thoracic radiology and pathology, pulmonary medical oncology and thoracic surgery, which is carried out by our surgeons under the North West Centre for Lung Surgery at MFT.
We see a high volume of patients – over 1,000 a year – who are at all stages of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers of the chest. The centre brings together subspecialists in respiratory medicine, thoracic surgery, cardiothoracic imaging and pathology, and oncology. Our dedicated specialist nurses support patients under investigation for suspected cancer, undergoing treatment for diagnosed cancer, and patients who have completed treatment and are under follow-up services.
Services
MTOC provides expert clinical evaluation and extensive practical experience in highly specialised procedures including: autofluorescence bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, medical thoracoscopy, complex physiology and cardiopulmonary exercise testing and challenging image guided biopsy. We are one of the largest surgical units providing specialist airway management, lung sparing and minimally invasive surgery, and curative surgery for nearly 500 patients annually. Other specialist procedures provided are adjuvant chemotherapy (post surgery) and chemotherapy or biological therapy for mesothelioma and advanced lung cancer.
The centre also uniquely provides one of the first Preinvasive Disease Units in the UK, specialising in the management of very early lung cancer using specialist bronchoscopic imaging, surveillance and lung sparing treatments including brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy and thermal ablation.
Team and Facilities
We provide rapid on-site evaluation and multidisciplinary management using dedicated facilities at The Lucis Centre (for all forms of bronchoscopy), three thoracic surgical theatres, The Cecilia Centre and Pulmonary Oncology Unit. Comprehensive care is provided by a team of 27 Consultant Staff, Senior Nurses and Support staff and is integrated with the Thoracic Oncology Research Hub (TORCH) and The Academy of Thoracic Oncology, for multidisciplinary research and education in all aspects of thoracic oncology.
The Academy of Thoracic Oncology is an educational initiative in lung cancer and mesothelioma for Commissioners, Public Health, General Practitioners and other Specialist Teams in the North West to develop a programme of evening symposia, educational days, trainee fellowships and practical skills training for all disciplines involved in the management of these complex diseases.
Research
The Thoracic Oncology Research Hub (or TORCH) is a unified multidisciplinary research collaborative integrating research active physicians, surgeons and oncologists in a single team to deliver complex trials and protocols supported by a robust management team and research nursing infrastructure.
It has a portfolio of over 20 active clinical trials and recruits over 150 patients annually. It is part funded by the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, the Comprehensive Local Research Network and Cancer Research UK’s Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence.
For Diagnostic Evaluation:
Name: Ms Deborah Dunn
Tel: 0161 291 2116
Fax: 0161 291 5943
Email: lungcancerreferrals@uhsm.nhs.uk
For Surgical Referral:
Name: Ms Lindsay Richards
Tel: 0161 291 2565
Email: Lindsay.richards@uhsm.nhs.uk
For Bronchoscopy:
Name: Ms Belinda Wallace
Tel: 0161 291 4098
Fax: 0161 291 4097
Email: bronchoscopy@uhsm.nhs.uk