Small-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Small-cell lung cancer(SCLC) represents 15 to 20% of all lung cancers. Since patients with SCLC usually present with disseminated disease, treatment strategies have focused on systemic therapy. Despite advances in the treatment of SCLC during the 1970s with the use of combination chemotherapy, and in the 1980s with the combination of etoposide and cisplatin plus concurrent radiotherapy, there have been no major advances in therapy in the last decade. There is no proven role for dose escalation, alternating chemotherapy, weekly chemotherapy, or maintenance therapy. The recent advent of new active agents, including irinotecan, provides hope for more effective therapies in the 2000s. This review outlines the current treatment strategies including new agents, thoracic radiotherapy, surgical resection, and prophylactic cranial irradiation.