Lung cancer - small cell

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lung cancer - small cell

Alternative Names:

Cancer - lung - small cell; Small cell lung cancer
Treatment:

The treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer.

For small cell cancer, chemotherapy and radiation are usually used in limited stage disease (when the disease is confined to the chest ). Studies have shown that giving chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time is better than giving one after the other. Chemotherapy alone is used for extensive stage disease.

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In some cases where a patient with limited stage disease has only one small tumor, the tumor will be surgically removed, followed by chemotherapy. However, very few patients with small cell lung cancer are candidates for surgery.

Some patients with limited stage disease may need radiation to the entire brain after they have completed chemotherapy and radiation to the chest. This is known as prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).

Support Groups:

For additional information and resources, see cancer support group.

Expectations (prognosis):

The overall survival depends on the stage of the disease. For limited stage small cell cancer, cure rates may be as high as 25%, while cure rates for extensive stage disease are less than 5%.

Complications:

Spread of disease beyond the lung
Side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have risk factors for developing lung cancer, or you develop symptoms of lung cancer (particularly if you smoke).