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Review
. 2023 Jan;18(1):31-46.
doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.10.002. Epub 2022 Oct 12.

SCLC: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Genetic Susceptibility, Molecular Pathology, Screening, and Early Detection

Qian Wang  1 , Zeynep H Gümüş  2 , Cristina Colarossi  3 , Lorenzo Memeo  3 , Xintong Wang  4 , Chung Yin Kong  5 , Paolo Boffetta  6
Affiliations
Review

SCLC: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Genetic Susceptibility, Molecular Pathology, Screening, and Early Detection

Qian Wang et al. J Thorac Oncol. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

We review research regarding the epidemiology, risk factors, genetic susceptibility, molecular pathology, and early detection of SCLC, a deadly tumor that accounts for 14% of lung cancers. We first summarize the changing incidences of SCLC globally and in the United States among males and females. We then review the established risk factor (i.e., tobacco smoking) and suspected nonsmoking-related risk factors for SCLC, and emphasize the importance of continued effort in tobacco control worldwide. Review of genetic susceptibility and molecular pathology suggests different molecular pathways in SCLC development compared with other types of lung cancer. Last, we comment on the limited utility of low-dose computed tomography screening in SCLC and on several promising blood-based molecular biomarkers as potential tools in SCLC early detection.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Early detection; Epidemiology; Genetic susceptibility; Molecular pathology; Small cell lung cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Long-term trends in SEER age-adjusted incidence rates, SEER 8 (1975–2019) by sex. Figure source: National Cancer Institute SEER Cancer Statistics Explorer Network.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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