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Oncology5 papers

Primary small cell carcinoma of lung

Last edited: 4/10/2026

Overview

Primary small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine tumor. The majority of patients present with metastatic (extensive-stage) disease, which is more common than limited-stage disease 1. Systemic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for extensive-stage SCLC, aiming to palliate symptoms and prolong survival 1.

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis is based on histopathology, typically from biopsy 1.
  • SCLC is a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma 1.
  • Management

  • Smoking cessation counseling and intervention should be strongly promoted 1.
  • Systemic therapy alone can palliate symptoms and prolong survival in most patients with extensive-stage disease 1.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Smoking cessation counseling and intervention should be strongly promoted in patients with SCLC 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • Systemic therapy alone can palliate symptoms and prolong survival in most patients with extensive-stage SCLC 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • References

    1 Ganti AKP, Loo BW, Bassetti M, Blakely C, Chiang A, D'Amico TA et al.. Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 2.2022, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN 2021. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 2.2022, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.Ganti AKP, Loo BW, Bassetti M, Blakely C, Chiang A, D'Amico TA et al. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN (2021)

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