Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma Follow-up

  • Author: Irfan Maghfoor, MD; Chief Editor: Jules E Harris, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 28, 2012
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients with extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma require close monitoring for adverse effects of chemotherapy. Complete blood counts with differential counts should be checked prior to each cycle of chemotherapy to ensure adequate hematologic recovery. Liver and renal function should be monitored to detect toxicity from chemotherapy as well as to assess if adjustment of chemotherapy doses is needed.
  • Response to therapy is monitored by obtaining CT scans after 2 cycles of chemotherapy before chemotherapy is continued.
  • If elevated prior to therapy, serum lactate dehydrogenase is a good marker and should be monitored.
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Deterrence/Prevention

Data linking extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma to tobacco smoking are inconclusive; however, at least one study has reported that most patients with extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma in the study were former or current smokers. Since smoking is implicated as an etiologic agent in several different kinds of malignancies, smoking cessation education and programs with a concerted efforts form health care providers and government agencies are needed.

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Complications

Tumor lysis syndrome: Tumor lysis can occur rapidly in patients with small cell carcinomas on institution of therapy.

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Prognosis

See Mortality/Morbidity.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Irfan Maghfoor, MD  Consulting Oncologist, Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia

Irfan Maghfoor, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert C Shepard, MD, FACP  Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology and Oncology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Vice President of Scientific Affairs, Therapeutic Expertise, Oncology, at PRA International

Robert C Shepard, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, American Society of Hematology, Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, European Society for Medical Oncology, Massachusetts Medical Society, and Society for Biological Therapy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP  Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Department of Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jules E Harris, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona Cancer Center

Jules E Harris, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Society of Hematology, and Central Society for Clinical Research

Disclosure: GlobeImmune Salary Consulting

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