Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Overview

SCLC is an aggressive type of lung cancer that accounts for 15% of all lung cancers. It grows and spreads rapidly, often metastasizing early.

Symptoms

• •Persistent cough
• •Shortness of breath
• •Chest pain
• •Coughing up blood
• •Rapid weight loss
• •Fatigue
• •Hoarseness
• •Difficulty swallowing

Stages

Diagnosis

• ✓Chest X-ray
• ✓CT scan
• ✓PET-CT scan
• ✓Bronchoscopy with biopsy
• ✓Sputum cytology
• ✓Brain MRI (to check for metastases)
• ✓Bone scan

Treatments

• →Combination chemotherapy (cisplatin + etoposide)
• →Radiation therapy (chest + prophylactic cranial irradiation)
• →Immunotherapy (atezolizumab, durvalumab)
• →Surgery (rare, only for very early stage)
• →Supportive care

Risk Factors