After a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is made, the doctor will determine the stage based on the results of various tests. From a therapeutic perspective, SCLC is divided into “limited stage” (limited stage) and “extensive stage” (extensive stage). In limited stage SCLC, the tumor is usually located in only one side of the chest or has invaded the lymph nodes on the same side. In the extensive stage SCLC, the tumor has metastasized to the other side of the lung, the lymph nodes on the other side of the chest, or has metastasized to other parts of the body.
Limited-stage SCLC
Treatment options that your doctor may choose include:
Combination chemotherapy (with more than one drug, usually platinum-containing two-drug chemotherapy) + radiation to the chest, possibly along with prophylactic radiation to the brain to prevent metastasis to the brain (for patients who have responded to treatment).
Combination chemotherapy, possibly with concomitant brain prophylactic radiotherapy (for patients who respond to chemotherapy).
Co-chemotherapy with possible concomitant chest radiotherapy.
Surgical treatment with postoperative chemotherapy or chemotherapy + thoracic radiotherapy, possibly concomitant with brain prophylactic radiotherapy.
Participation in clinical trials on chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
Extensive-stage SCLC
For extensive-stage SCLC, the primary therapy is systemic chemotherapy, with the possibility of adding palliative radiotherapy. Clinical trials of chemotherapeutic agents may also be attempted.
Co-reviewed by Dr. Yue-Li Sun, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Dr. Xiang-Meng Li