Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiagnosisProgressionManaging SymptomsHow Treatable Is SCLC?TreatmentTreatment Side EffectsSupport
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diagnosis
Progression
Managing Symptoms
How Treatable Is SCLC?
Treatment
Treatment Side Effects
Support
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of cancer that is found in 15% of people with lung cancer.The other 85% of people have non-small cell lung cancer. The difference is how the cancer behaves and its appearance under a microscope.
This article will discuss small cell lung cancerprognosis, treatment, and survival. It will also cover how to manage the symptoms and treatment side effects.
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Receiving a Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Receiving a small cell lung cancer diagnosis can be a confusing and emotional event. There will be endless questions and concerns as you process the information.
One of the best ways to keep yourself focused on the information is to keep a record of the information you receive from healthcare providers. This could be on your phone, in a notebook, or anywhere that is easily accessible.
Write down any information from your healthcare provider like:
You need to be your best advocate. Keep a separate list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. There will be so much information given to you when you get your diagnosis. Do not be afraid to repeat questions or ask for clarification if you do not understand.
Small cell lung cancer grows rapidly.Therefore, it is crucial for those with symptoms to contact their healthcare provider for an evaluation and diagnosis. This will allow for prompt treatment.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression
Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that increases in size quickly. One of the measures of how quickly cancer grows is itsdoubling time. Doubling time is the amount of time it takes for a cell or tumor to double in size. Small cell lung cancer’s doubling time can be as short as 25 to 30 days.
Another way small cell lung cancer’s progression is measured is through atwo-stage systemlisted as limited stage and extensive stage.
Only about 1 in 3 people who have small cell lung cancer are diagnosed in the limited stage.A common site of spread of SCLC is to the brain, which occurs in about half of small cell lung cancer cases.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Risk FactorsThe greatest risk factor for small cell lung cancer is smoking. This type of cancer usually only occurs in people who are current or former smokers.Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, radon (a radioactive gas found indoors), asbestos (a fiber formerly used in building and industrial products), or other carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).
Small Cell Lung Cancer Risk Factors
The greatest risk factor for small cell lung cancer is smoking. This type of cancer usually only occurs in people who are current or former smokers.Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, radon (a radioactive gas found indoors), asbestos (a fiber formerly used in building and industrial products), or other carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).
Managing Symptoms of Small Cell Lung Cancer
SCLC will cause a variety of symptoms that will be based on how far the cancer has spread.
Symptoms can include:
Managing these symptoms can be difficult. As the cancer spreads and grows symptoms will worsen.
One of the most uncomfortable symptoms, difficulty breathing, can be managed with help from a healthcare provider. They will treat the cause, whether it’s fluid around the lungs, an infection, or resulting from a growing tumor. Certain medications that treat difficulty breathing include:
How Treatable Is Small Cell Lung Cancer?
For most people, small cell lung cancer treatment does not cure them.Treatment will improve their quality of life and prolong it.Treatment will be based on the extent of the condition.
Limited Stage
People with limited stage small cell lung cancer may be treated with:
With treatment, limited stage small cell lung cancer is curable in 20% to 25% of cases.People with limited stage small cell lung cancer greatly benefit from chemotherapy to both improve their quality of life and increase the chance of survival. When given along with radiation, tumor shrinkage is seen in 80% to 100% of cases.
Radiation therapy may be given to the chest to address the site of the tumor. Radiation is also often given to the head (prophylactic cranial irradiation) to prevent spread to the brain.
Clinical TrialsAt any stage of small cell lung cancer, you may be eligible for aclinical trial. This is a study of newer treatments or combinations of treatments. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
Clinical Trials
At any stage of small cell lung cancer, you may be eligible for aclinical trial. This is a study of newer treatments or combinations of treatments. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
Extensive Stage
Those with extensive stage small lung cancer may be treated with:
The goals in people with extensive stage small cell lung cancer are to improve symptoms, prolong their survival, and improve their quality of life. Chemotherapy plus immunotherapy has a positive response, with 60% to 80% achieving tumor shrinkage.
Relapse or Recurrence
Unfortunately, the recurrence of small cell lung cancer is high. Most people will relapse in one to two years after treatment.What treatment is recommended with recurrence will depend on your individual case, treatment history, the extent of the cancer, and your wishes.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival RateThe median survival rate when SCLC isuntreatedis two to four months.Treatment and the stage at which the cancer is found can improve survival. Overall, people with limited stage SCLC have a median survival of 16 to 24 months. People with extensive stage SCLC have a median survival of six to 12 months.The overall five-yearsurvival rate for small cell lung canceris about 7% due to many cases being diagnosed when the cancer has already metastasized (spread to distant areas of the body).Five-year survival at different stages at diagnosis are:Localized stage: 27.7%Regional stage: 16.1%Distant stage: 3.1%Keep in mind these statistics cannot reflect advancements in treatment in the past five years. It also is not your individual prognosis, which is drawn based on your overall health, cancer stage, treatment options, and other characteristics.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rate
The median survival rate when SCLC isuntreatedis two to four months.Treatment and the stage at which the cancer is found can improve survival. Overall, people with limited stage SCLC have a median survival of 16 to 24 months. People with extensive stage SCLC have a median survival of six to 12 months.The overall five-yearsurvival rate for small cell lung canceris about 7% due to many cases being diagnosed when the cancer has already metastasized (spread to distant areas of the body).Five-year survival at different stages at diagnosis are:Localized stage: 27.7%Regional stage: 16.1%Distant stage: 3.1%Keep in mind these statistics cannot reflect advancements in treatment in the past five years. It also is not your individual prognosis, which is drawn based on your overall health, cancer stage, treatment options, and other characteristics.
The median survival rate when SCLC isuntreatedis two to four months.Treatment and the stage at which the cancer is found can improve survival. Overall, people with limited stage SCLC have a median survival of 16 to 24 months. People with extensive stage SCLC have a median survival of six to 12 months.
The overall five-yearsurvival rate for small cell lung canceris about 7% due to many cases being diagnosed when the cancer has already metastasized (spread to distant areas of the body).
Five-year survival at different stages at diagnosis are:
Keep in mind these statistics cannot reflect advancements in treatment in the past five years. It also is not your individual prognosis, which is drawn based on your overall health, cancer stage, treatment options, and other characteristics.
Facing Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
SCLC treatment can be daunting to think about. There will be major changes in almost every aspect of your life. Finding a support system will be crucial in navigating all the changes. Here are some tips to help you facecancer treatment:
Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Chemotherapy causes certain blood counts to drop. This can increase a person’s chance of infections which can become very serious. Other chemotherapy side effects:
Immunotherapy is a treatment that prompts the body to use its own immune system to treat cancer. The side effects of this treatment include:
Radiation is a common treatment for SCLC. Its side effects include tiredness, reddened skin, and painful swallowing.
Support for Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer
People with advanced small cell lung cancer will have different goals and needs than others. They may want to try aclinical trialor enterpalliative careorhospice. Whatever they choose, the support of healthcare providers, family, and friends will be necessary.
Palliative care is used to improve the quality of life for someone with a terminal condition. It treats or prevents the symptoms and side effects of the condition. The person can continue their standard treatment (chemotherapy or radiation) along with palliative care.
Hospice is when treatment to cure cancer is stopped, although palliative care continues. The goal is to maintain quality of life.
10 Practical Ways to Deal with Terminal Illness
Summary
Receiving a small cell lung cancer diagnosis is challenging. It will produce endless emotions and concerns. Treatment options are available depending on the stage of the cancer. If treatment is no longer working, shifting towards supportive treatment is an option.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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