Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Questions & Answers

Updated: Nov 02, 2023
  • Author: Winston W Tan, MD, FACP; Chief Editor: Nagla Abdel Karim, MD, PhD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What are the practice essentials of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the pathophysiology of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What causes small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the epidemiology of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the US?

What is the global incidence of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the age- and sex-related demographics of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the prognosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What patient education is indicated in small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Presentation

What are the symptoms of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the typical presentation of metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the symptoms of metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What physical findings are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which cardiovascular findings are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of funduscopy in the physical exam for small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which GI findings are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What lymphatic system findings are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What complications are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Workup

What are the screening guidelines on small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the initial workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is small cell lung cancer (SCLC) staged?

Which lab studies are indicated in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which CBC findings are associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of serum chemistries in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which plain radiography studies are indicated in small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is CT scanning used in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which brain and spinal cord imaging studies are indicated in small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of radionuclide imaging in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is PET scanning used in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is biopsy performed in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of sputum cytology in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of thoracentesis in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the histologic findings of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is small cell lung cancer (SCLC) staged?

What is the American Cancer Society approach to staging small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How does the Veterans Administration Lung Group (VALSG) stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of the TNM staging system in small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is the IASLC TNM system used in the staging of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is the VALSG staging system used in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the AJCC staging system for small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Treatment

What are the approach considerations in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the approach considerations in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is combination chemotherapy used in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is cisplatin plus etoposide or irinotecan used in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the most common combination chemotherapy choice for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is combination cisplatin and etoposide used in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is combination cisplatin and irinotecan used in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Is cisplatin-based or carboplatin-based chemotherapy more effective in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the chemotherapy protocol for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Is bone marrow or stem cell transplantation indicated in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the standard treatment for limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is radiotherapy used in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is prophylactic cranial irradiation used in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the standard treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is a relapse of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) managed?

What is the role of nivolumab in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How are symptoms of brain metastases managed in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How is spinal cord compression managed in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What is the role of surgical resection in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How are the potential complications of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) managed?

How is tumor lysis syndrome managed in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How are electrolyte abnormalities managed in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Which specialist consultations are indicated in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What long-term monitoring is indicated in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Guidelines

What are the consensus guidelines on screening for small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the staging guidelines on small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the treatment guidelines on limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the treatment guidelines on extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the recommendations on chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the ESMO treatment guidelines on extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the treatment guidelines for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the elderly?

What are the recommendations for long-term monitoring in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

How are long-term monitoring visits conducted in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the ACCP diagnosis and management guidelines on small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the ACCP recommendations on the diagnosis of pleural abnormalities in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

What are the ACCP recommendations on the diagnosis of primary tumors in the workup of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Medications

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics, Podophyllotoxin Derivatives are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics, Antimetabolite are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics, Antimicrotubular are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics, Vinca Alkaloid are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics, Anthracycline are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Topoisomerase Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics, Alkylating are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Which medications in the drug class Antiemetic Agents are used in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?