Guidelines
for urgent referral of patients with suspected upper GI cancer- Dysphagia - food sticking on swallowing (any age)
-
Dyspepsia at any age combined with one
or more of the following 'alarm' symptoms:
- weight loss
- proven anaemia
- vomiting
-
Dyspepsia in a patient aged 55 years*
or more with at least one of the following 'high risk' features:
- onset of dyspepsia less than one year ago
- continuous symptoms since onset
-
Dyspepsia combined with at least one
of the following known risk factors:
- Family history of Upper GI cancer in more than 2 first degree relatives
- Barrett's oesophagus
- Pernicious anaemia
- Peptic ulcer surgery over 20 years ago
- Known dysplasia, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia
- Jaundice
- Upper abdominal mass
* Age 55 years is considered to be the maximum age threshold. Local Cancer Networks may elect to set a lower age threshold (e.g. 50 years or 45 years).
