About The London Bridge Thoracic Group
The London Bridge Thoracic Group specialises in all conditions of the lungs, from common respiratory problems to those requiring more complex investigations and treatment.
Our award-winning consultants practise at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospitals. All are leaders in their field of medicine, and two have trained in some of the best medical centres in the U.S.A.
We treat the full spectrum of lung conditions, from cough and chest pain to lung cancer and emphysema. We also carry out complex investigations such as pleural biopsy and bronchoscopy.
We have extensive experience in:
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Treating respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, haemoptysis (expectoration of blood), recurrent chest infections, wheezing, snoring, sleep-related problems, abnormal chest radiograph
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Complex investigations such as pleural biopsy (medical or surgical), bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), mediastinoscopy, open lung biopsy, lung function testing including exercise testing, fitness to fly, tests to evaluate airway hypersensitivity and asthma and home/hospital studies to evaluate sleep related problems
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Treatment of already diagnosed lung conditions
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Endobronchial stenting to manage airway problems in patients with cancer
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Surgical management of pleural effusions
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Lung cancer, metastatic lung cancer, mesothelioma
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Empyema
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Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
The outstanding London Bridge Thoracic Centre team
The London Bridge Thoracic Centre team occupies a unique place in the field of respiratory and thoracic medicine. We have trained at some of the most prestigious U.S. centres of medicine prior to taking up positions at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospitals in London. As well as offering the most advanced treatments and techniques, we are proud of our patient-centred approach, and focus on helping you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible during your time with us.
Finally, we pool knowledge with colleagues from other top London cancer and respiratory medical teams, which means that your treatment benefits from the knowledge and experience of a panel of experts.
Our consultants
Caring for our patients
We are proud of the caring and supportive environment we have created at The London Bridge Thoracic Group. From our dedicated medical secretaries, who offer an efficient, sympathetic and informative service, to our specialist thoracic nurse and translators, we are committed to delivering bespoke care, sensitive to any specialist requirements or cultural needs.
The conditions we treat
Our team of experts in respiratory and thoracic medicine have extensive experience in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including:
Lung cancers
Consultants at The London Bridge Thoracic Centre have a long-established reputation in the treatment of lung cancers, especially using laparoscopic techniques (VATS or keyhole lobectomy for lung cancer.) This procedure, learned from world-leading practitioners in the U.S. is available in very few UK facilities. We also treat metastatic cancers and other cancers within the chest.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining covering the outer surface of organs within the body, usually the lining of the lungs, and often as a result of exposure to asbestos. We are one of only two UK centres with significant experience in treating mesothelioma with radical surgery such as extra-pleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy-decortication. We also offer less invasive procedures and liaise with our London Bridge medical oncology colleagues who are similarly experienced in non-surgical mesothelioma treatments.
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax, or ‘collapsed lung’, occurs when air leaks into the space between the lungs and chest wall. The effect of the air pushing on the outside of the lung causes some (or all) of the lung to ‘collapse.’ We offer a safe surgical procedure to prevent this recurring.
Emphysema
Emphysema occurs when the alveoli, or air sacs in the lungs, have been damaged, causing their inner walls to weaken and rupture. As the surface area of the lungs is reduced, this means that less oxygen can reach the bloodstream, causing shortness of breath. Emphysema can also lead to chronic bronchitis and a persistent cough. We can offer surgery to improve symptoms of emphysema.
Comprehensive diagnostics and imaging
Our facilities incorporate an extensive range of the most accurate yet least invasive diagnostic procedures to help diagnose and treat all respiratory and thoracic conditions. Diagnostic tests include:
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Bronchoscopy
A narrow tube is threaded down your trachea, or windpipe, to look at your airways; we offer rigid bronchoscopy, under general anaesthetic, and fibreoptic bronchoscopy, requiring a sedative
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Mediastinoscopy
A test looking at the centre of your chest, carried out under general anaesthetic, where tissue is removed through a tiny cut in your chest
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VATS lung biopsy
A technique undertaken laparoscopically, in which a tiny camera (thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted into your chest through small cuts in the chest wall
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CT (Computerised Tomography) scan
Used to identify tumours and damage
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Ventilation-perfusion studies
Assessing airflow and blood flow to the lungs through the inhalation of radioactive material
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Percutaneous lung biopsy
A test performed by colleagues in the radiation department
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Ultrasound
Performed in our imaging department
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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Uses magnetism to build a series of cross-sectional pictures of inside the body
A wider multidisciplinary team
The team is supported by radiologists, clinical and medical oncologists, specialists in intensive care medicine, ENT and head and neck surgery, pathologists and pain management specialists.
Our team working approach, through which we share complex treatment decisions with colleagues from top London cancer and respiratory medicine units, means that you will benefit from the knowledge of the foremost specialists in their field.
View all treatments and services
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Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test
Need to know
A cardiopulmonary exercise test is designed to measure how your heart and lungs respond to exercise. During the test, we'll monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, along with your oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide output while you cycle on a stationary bicycle.
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Skin prick test for allergies
Need to know
A skin prick test is usually the first test to be carried out when looking for an allergen. It's a quick, safe and painless test, and you'll get the results quickly.
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CT scans
Need to know
CT scans use X-rays to take detailed 2D and 3D images of inside your body. From the scan a doctor can diagnose and monitor many conditions including cancer, strokes and fractures, and they're used to investigate a wide range of symptoms. We invest in the latest CT scanning equipment which means we're...
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MRI
Need to know
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a type of scan using strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce high-quality images of the inside of the body. The MRI scanner looks like a large tube that you lie inside. It can be used on all parts of your body, including your head, without using radiation,...
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Bronchoscopy
Need to know
Your consultant may recommend that you have a bronchoscopy for various reasons, from investigating a persistent cough to taking a mucus sample if you have a lung infection. There are two different types of bronchoscopy – flexible and rigid. A flexible bronchoscopy is more commonly used.
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Endobronchial Ultrasound EBUS
Need to know
An endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is used to take tissue samples from the lungs or the lymph nodes in the chest. It may be used to check for lung cancer, other cancers that are suspected of spreading to the lymph nodes, lymphoma and other non-cancerous conditions such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Need to know
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a general term to describe lung conditions caused by breathing problems. The most well-known ones are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is more common in middle-aged people, as well as in those who smoke. If you have COPD, we can help you...
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Emphysema
Need to know
Tiny air sacs that make up the lungs expand and relax as you breath in and then out. Emphysema is a long-term disease where the walls between these air sacs are gradually destroyed. It can affect those exposed to harmful fumes, smoke, or dust. Symptom include shortness of breath, a constant phlegmy cough,...
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Lung cancer
Need to know
There are two main types of primary lung cancer. These are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. At HCA UK our network of world-leading consultants are experts at treating all forms of lung cancer.
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Malignant mesothelioma
Need to know
A malignant mesothelioma is a cancerous tumour that usually forms on the pleura (lung lining). It's often brought on by asbestos exposure, although there is generally a long delay between the original exposure and the tumour developing. We offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating mesothelioma.
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Interstitial lung disease
Need to know
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) describes a range of conditions, most of which cause scarring to lung tissue. These include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary vasculitis and hypersensitive pneumonitis. These can cause breathing difficulties as not enough oxygen gets into your blood. Our respiratory...
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Pleural effusion
Need to know
The pleura is a membrane that covers your lungs. It consists of two layers and produces fluid that helps your lungs to move when you breathe. If cancer cells spread to the pleura then fluid can build up and press on your lungs, causing shortness of breath (dyspnoea). The fluid can be removed on a regular...
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Pleural empyema
Need to know
A pleural empyema is a pocket of pus that can develop in the pleural area (the space between your lungs and chest cavity). Normally a result of bacterial infections like pneumonia, pleural empyemas can often lead to mucus, fever, chest pain and other symptoms. Our respiratory experts can treat them.
Our location
4th Floor, St. Olaf House
27 Tooley Street
London SE1 2PR
Contact us
The London Bridge Thoracic Centre is situated in London Bridge Hospital.