Small-cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer is a neuroendocrine tumor.

It is sometimes called “oat cell carcinoma” due to the flat cell shape and scanty cytoplasm.

see Small cell lung cancer intracranial metastases.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a life-threatening disease, typically caused by cigarette smoking. It is almost exclusively seen in current or former smokers. SCLC represents approximately 13–18% of all lung cancers with a varying incidence in different countries ¹⁾

95 % arise in proximal airways, usually in mainstem or lobar brochii. Tipically younger (27-66 years) than other lung cancer. Strongly associated with cigarrete smoking

Although SCLC compromises only 20 % of primary lung cancers, it is more likely to produce cerebral metastases than other brochogenic cell types (brain metastases are found in 80 % of patients who survive 2 yrs after diagnosis SCLC) ²⁾.

A recommendation to use TNM International Union Against Cancer (UICC) staging system for all SCLC cases was regularly accepted ^{3) 4) 5)}.

However, a simple two-stage system developed by the Veteran’s Administration Lung Cancer Study Group as limited (stage) disease (LD) or extensive (stage) disease (ED) was more frequently used in clinical practice ⁶⁾.

Patients with limited disease have the involvement restricted to one hemithorax that can be encompassed within a tolerable radiation field. Extensive disease is defined as disease beyond one hemithorax and may include malignant pleural or pericardial effusion or haematogenous metastases.

Some tumors: most tumors are dark on DWI, but highly cellular tumors may have decreased diffusion (bright on DWI) (e.g., epidermoids, lymphoma, some meningiomas, small cell lung cancer…). Restricted diffusion with tumors is usually not as bright as with stroke or abscess

see Small cell lung cancer treatment.

see Small cell lung cancer outcome.