[Current perspectives in the management of small cell lung cancer]

Abstract

Considerable progress has been made within the last decade in the management of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) resulting in prolongation of median survival by 4 to 5 times (about 14 and 9 months in limited and extensive disease, respectively), improved quality of life, and an increase of cure rates in 15 approximately 20% of the patients with limited disease. In this review, we are focusing on the details in update treatment schedules of combination chemotherapy against SCLC, prognostic features and staging of SCLC, the role of non-cross resistant alternating chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the primary site including hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, prophylactic cranial irradiation and surgery in the treatment of SCLC, as well as the complications of treatment.