11th January 2024

A 65-year-old gentleman presents to his GP with a 3-month history of cough, unintentional weight loss and haemoptysis on a background of a 50-pack-year smoking history.

A 65-year-old gentleman presents to his GP with a 3-month history of cough, unintentional weight loss and haemoptysis on a background of a 50-pack-year smoking history. He has no other past medical history and continues to walk his dog 2 miles each day. His GP requests a chest x-ray as per NICE guidelines under the 2-week-wait pathway, and a unilateral large right-sided pleural effusion is noted. 

What is the most appropriate management plan? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.