Vol 3, No 1 (2007)
Review paper
Published online: 2007-01-12
Small-cell lung cancer. Diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of Polish Lung Cancer Group
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2007;3(1):1-7.
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer is characterised by an aggressive course with high tendency for early dissemination.
At presentation, patients are usually symptomatic and with hilar or mediastinal mass at radiography.
Staging should be focused on identifying any evidence of distant spread. Chemotherapy including cisplatin
and etoposide is a cornerstone of treatment for all patients. Limited-stage disease should be managed
by chemotherapy combined with concurrent chest irradiation. All patients who achieve complete
response should be considered for elective cranial irradiation. Surgical treatment may be used in highly
selected patients with TNM stage I disease, and surgery should always be combined with chemotherapy.
Extensive-stage disease should be managed by multi-agent chemotherapy alone. Long-term survivors
should undergo careful monitoring for development of a second primary tumour.
Keywords: small-cell lung cancerdiagnosisstagingrecommendationschemotherapyradiotherapysurgical treatment