institute for cancer research

Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Introduction

The procedure for small cell lung cancer treatment depends largely on the stage of the disease and the overall state of the health of the patient. 

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a disease characterized by the presence of malignant cells that form in the tissues of the lung. There are three main forms of small lung cancer, including small cell carcinoma, mixed small cell or large cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma.

Treatment Options

Small cell lung cancer treatment is usually planned with the standard treatment therapy in the beginning. In some cases, participation in a clinical trial is also considered.

There are a series of medications and procedures that can be followed for the small cell lung cancer treatment. To begin with, chemotherapy forms the mainstay of small cell lung cancer treatment. The process of chemotherapy works by interfering with the ability of rapidly growing cell to divide or reproduce themselves.

Chemotherapy is usually administered as an injection into the vein, while some of the agents can also be taken by mouth. The most commonly used drug combination for patients diagnosed with limited stage SCLC is cisplatin along with etoposide. Normally, chemotherapy is administered over a one to three day period, usually every three weeks and is then restarted.

During the procedure for small cell lung cancer treatment, the number of cycles of chemotherapy administered usually depend on how the cancer is responding to the treatment and how well is the patient's body tolerating the treatment.

Recent research also shows that Amrubicin, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, shows a significant activity against small-cell lung cancer. Experts suggest that Amrubicin appears more potent that doxorubicin and showed high activity as a single agent in untreated patients diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer.  

Another important method followed in small cell lung cancer treatment is the Radiation Therapy, often used in combination with chemotherapy. This form of therapy involves the use of focused, high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. The x-rays are delivered from a machine known as a linear accelerator and individual treatments are brief and not very painful.

Chest radiation is another option for small cell lung cancer treatment. Research indicates that RT can considerably help in decreasing the chance of the tumor regrowing in the chest following chemotherapy.

Patients in the limited disease stage may also receive radiation therapy to the brain, as the brain is a common site of tumor spread in patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Since the SCLS spreads very quickly, surgery to remove the lung tumor usually does not improve the probability or length of survival.

Overall, chemotherapy is considered to be the most effective option for small cell lung cancer treatment.

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
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