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<div class="pre-content"><div><div class="bk_prnt"><p class="small">NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.</p><p>PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. </p></div><div class="iconblock clearfix whole_rhythm no_top_margin bk_noprnt"><a class="img_link icnblk_img" title="Table of Contents Page" href="/books/n/pdqcis/"><img class="source-thumb" src="/corehtml/pmc/pmcgifs/bookshelf/thumbs/th-pdqcis-lrg.png" alt="Cover of PDQ Cancer Information Summaries" height="100px" width="80px" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt eight_col"><h2>PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet].</h2><a data-jig="ncbitoggler" href="#__NBK66043_dtls__">Show details</a><div style="display:none" class="ui-widget" id="__NBK66043_dtls__"><div>Bethesda (MD): <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/" ref="pagearea=page-banner&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=publisher">National Cancer Institute (US)</a>; 2002-.</div></div><div class="half_rhythm"></div><div class="bk_noprnt"><form method="get" action="/books/n/pdqcis/" id="bk_srch"><div class="bk_search"><label for="bk_term" class="offscreen_noflow">Search term</label><input type="text" title="Search this book" id="bk_term" name="term" value="" data-jig="ncbiclearbutton" /> <input type="submit" class="jig-ncbibutton" value="Search this book" submit="false" style="padding: 0.1em 0.4em;" /></div></form></div></div></div></div></div>
<div class="main-content lit-style" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><div class="meta-content fm-sec"><h1 id="_NBK66043_"><span class="title" itemprop="name">Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ&#x000ae;)</span></h1><div class="subtitle whole_rhythm">Patient Version</div><p class="contrib-group"><span itemprop="author">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board</span>.</p><p class="small">Published online: February 3, 2016.</p></div><div class="jig-ncbiinpagenav body-content whole_rhythm" data-jigconfig="allHeadingLevels: ['h2'],smoothScroll: false" itemprop="text"><div id="_abs_rndgid_" itemprop="description"><p id="CDR0000062947__171">This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the treatment of small cell lung cancer. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__172">Editorial Boards write the PDQ cancer information summaries and keep them up to date. These Boards are made up of experts in cancer treatment and other specialties related to cancer. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made when there is new information. The date on each summary ("Date Last Modified") is the date of the most recent change. The information in this patient summary was taken from the health professional version, which is reviewed regularly and updated as needed, by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__50"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__50_">General Information About Small Cell Lung Cancer</h2><div class="box"><h4><span class="title">Key Points for This Section</span></h4><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__51">Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer)
cells form in the tissues of the lung.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__55">There are two main types of small cell lung cancer. </a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__59">Smoking increases the risk of small
cell lung cancer.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__63">Signs and symptoms of small cell lung cancer include coughing,
shortness of breath, and chest pain.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__67">Tests and procedures that examine the lungs are used to detect
(find), diagnose, and stage small cell lung cancer.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__71">Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and
treatment options.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__74">For most patients with small cell lung cancer, current
treatments do not cure the cancer.</a></div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__51"><h3>Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer)
cells form in the tissues of the lung.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__53">The <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270740/" class="def">lungs</a> are a pair of cone-shaped breathing <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000257523/" class="def">organs</a> that are found
in the chest. The lungs bring <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000538149/" class="def">oxygen</a> into the body when you breathe in and
take out <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000538147/" class="def">carbon dioxide</a> when you breathe out. Each lung has sections called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046188/" class="def">lobes</a>. The left lung has two lobes. The right
lung, which is slightly larger, has three. A thin <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046294/" class="def">membrane</a> called the
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045842/" class="def">pleura</a> surrounds the lungs. Two
tubes called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046493/" class="def">bronchi</a> lead from the
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046623/" class="def">trachea</a> (windpipe) to the right and
left lungs. The bronchi are sometimes also affected by lung
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a>. Small tubes called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046494/" class="def">bronchioles</a> and tiny air sacs called
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046209/" class="def">alveoli</a> make up the inside of the
lungs.<div class="iconblock whole_rhythm clearfix ten_col fig" id="figCDR0000062947129" co-legend-rid="figlgndCDR0000062947129"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__129/?report=objectonly" target="object" title="Figure" class="img_link icnblk_img figpopup" rid-figpopup="figCDR0000062947129" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947129"><img class="small-thumb" src="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000466533.gif" src-large="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000466533.jpg" alt="Anatomy of the respiratory system, showing the trachea and both lungs and their lobes and airways" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt" id="figlgndCDR0000062947129"><h4 id="CDR0000062947__129"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__129/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947129">Figure</a></h4><p class="float-caption no_bottom_margin">Anatomy of the respiratory system, showing the trachea and both lungs and their lobes and airways. Lymph nodes and the diaphragm are also shown. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passes through the thin membranes of the alveoli and into the bloodstream <a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__129/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947129">(more...)</a></p></div></div></p><p id="CDR0000062947__54">There are two types of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000445043/" class="def">lung cancer</a>:
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045327/" class="def">small cell lung cancer</a> and
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045323/" class="def">non-small cell lung cancer</a>. </p><p id="CDR0000062947__160">This
summary is about small cell lung cancer and its treatment. See the following <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044271/" class="def">PDQ</a> summaries for more information about lung cancer:
</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__161"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062956/">Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Treatment</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062878/#CDR0000062878__924">Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062825/">Lung Cancer Prevention</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000258019/">Lung Cancer Screening</a></div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__55"><h3>There are two main types of small cell lung cancer. </h3><p id="CDR0000062947__57"> These two types include many different types of
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046476/" class="def">cells</a>. The cancer cells of each type
grow and spread in different ways. The types of small cell lung cancer are
named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look when
viewed under a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000638184/" class="def">microscope</a>:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__58"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Small cell <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045963/" class="def">carcinoma</a> (oat cell
cancer). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Combined small cell carcinoma.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__59"><h3>Smoking increases the risk of small
cell lung cancer.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__165">Smoking <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000748148/" class="def">cigarettes</a>, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000748824/" class="def">pipes</a>, or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000748146/" class="def">cigars</a> is the most common cause of lung cancer. The earlier in life a person starts smoking, the more often a person smokes, and the more years a person smokes, the greater the risk of lung cancer. If a person has stopped smoking, the risk becomes lower as the years pass.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__61">Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045873/" class="def">risk factor</a>. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn&#x02019;t mean that you will not get cancer. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk.
</p><p id="CDR0000062947__166">Risk factors for small cell lung
cancer include:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__62"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars now or in the
past.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Being exposed to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000538647/" class="def">secondhand smoke</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Having a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000302456/" class="def">family history</a> of lung cancer.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Being treated with <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044971/" class="def">radiation therapy</a> to the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000304766/" class="def">breast</a> or chest.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Being exposed to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046528/" class="def">asbestos</a>, chromium, nickel, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044303/" class="def">arsenic</a>, soot, or tar in the workplace.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>
Being exposed to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046554/" class="def">radon</a> in the home or workplace.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>
Living where there is air pollution.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>
Being infected with the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044366/" class="def">human immunodeficiency virus</a> (HIV).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Using <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045328/" class="def">beta carotene</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045916/" class="def">supplements</a> and being a heavy smoker.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__167">When smoking is combined with other risk factors, the risk of lung cancer is increased.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__63"><h3>Signs and symptoms of small cell lung cancer include coughing,
shortness of breath, and chest pain.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__65">These and other <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000750109/" class="def">signs</a> and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045022/" class="def">symptoms</a> may be caused by small cell lung cancer or by other <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000651193/" class="def">conditions</a>. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__66"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chest discomfort or pain.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A cough that doesn&#x02019;t go away or gets worse over time. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Trouble breathing.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Wheezing.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270735/" class="def">Blood</a> in <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045883/" class="def">sputum</a> (<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046274/" class="def">mucus</a> coughed up from the lungs).
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Hoarseness.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Trouble swallowing.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Loss of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000454699/" class="def">appetite</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Weight loss for no known reason.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Feeling very tired. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Swelling in the face and/or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000476471/" class="def">veins</a> in the neck.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__67"><h3>Tests and procedures that examine the lungs are used to detect
(find), diagnose, and stage small cell lung cancer.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__69"> The following tests and procedures may be used:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__70"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270871/" class="def">Physical exam</a> and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000689078/" class="def">history</a></b>: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient&#x02019;s health habits, including smoking, and past jobs, illnesses, and treatments will also be taken.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046590/" class="def">Laboratory tests</a></b>: Medical procedures that test samples of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046683/" class="def">tissue</a>, blood, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046642/" class="def">urine</a>, or other substances in the body. These tests help to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046450/" class="def">diagnose</a> disease, plan and check treatment, or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000454803/" class="def">monitor</a> the disease over time.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000304687/" class="def">Chest x-ray</a></b>: An <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045944/" class="def">x-ray</a> of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.<div class="iconblock whole_rhythm clearfix ten_col fig" id="figCDR0000062947130" co-legend-rid="figlgndCDR0000062947130"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__130/?report=objectonly" target="object" title="Figure" class="img_link icnblk_img figpopup" rid-figpopup="figCDR0000062947130" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947130"><img class="small-thumb" src="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000428438.gif" src-large="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000428438.jpg" alt="X-ray of the chest" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt" id="figlgndCDR0000062947130"><h4 id="CDR0000062947__130"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__130/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947130">Figure</a></h4><p class="float-caption no_bottom_margin">X-ray of the chest. X-rays are used to take pictures of organs and bones of the chest. X-rays pass through the patient onto film. </p></div></div></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046033/" class="def">CT scan</a> (CAT scan) of the brain, chest, and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045070/" class="def">abdomen</a></b>: A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000409764/" class="def">dye</a> may be <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044678/" class="def">injected</a> into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000335080/" class="def">Sputum cytology</a></b>: A
microscope is used to check for cancer cells in the sputum (mucus coughed up
from the lungs). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045164/" class="def">Biopsy</a></b>: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046244/" class="def">pathologist</a> to check for signs of cancer. The different ways a biopsy can be done include the following: <ul id="CDR0000062947__163"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045691/" class="def">Fine-needle
aspiration (FNA) biopsy</a> of the lung</b>: The removal of tissue or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044669/" class="def">fluid</a> from the lung, using a thin needle. A CT scan, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046157/" class="def">ultrasound</a>, or other <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045720/" class="def">imaging procedure</a> is used to find the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044636/" class="def">abnormal</a> tissue or fluid in the lung. A small <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046353/" class="def">incision</a> may be made in the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted into the abnormal tissue or fluid. A sample is removed with the needle and sent to the laboratory. A pathologist then views the sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells. A chest x-ray is done after the procedure to make sure no air is leaking from the lung into the chest.<div class="iconblock whole_rhythm clearfix ten_col fig" id="figCDR0000062947134" co-legend-rid="figlgndCDR0000062947134"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__134/?report=objectonly" target="object" title="Figure" class="img_link icnblk_img figpopup" rid-figpopup="figCDR0000062947134" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947134"><img class="small-thumb" src="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000531057.gif" src-large="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000531057.jpg" alt="Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the lung" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt" id="figlgndCDR0000062947134"><h4 id="CDR0000062947__134"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__134/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947134">Figure</a></h4><p class="float-caption no_bottom_margin">Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the lung. The patient lies on a table that slides through the computed tomography (CT) machine, which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body. The x-ray pictures help the doctor see where the abnormal tissue is <a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__134/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947134">(more...)</a></p></div></div></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045628/" class="def">Bronchoscopy</a></b>: A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046496/" class="def">bronchoscope</a> is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000572035/" class="def">lens</a> for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
<div class="iconblock whole_rhythm clearfix ten_col fig" id="figCDR0000062947131" co-legend-rid="figlgndCDR0000062947131"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__131/?report=objectonly" target="object" title="Figure" class="img_link icnblk_img figpopup" rid-figpopup="figCDR0000062947131" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947131"><img class="small-thumb" src="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000435997.gif" src-large="/books/NBK66043.2/bin/CDR0000435997.jpg" alt="Bronchoscopy" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt" id="figlgndCDR0000062947131"><h4 id="CDR0000062947__131"><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__131/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947131">Figure</a></h4><p class="float-caption no_bottom_margin">Bronchoscopy. A bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth, trachea, and major bronchi into the lung, to look for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a cutting tool. Tissue <a href="/books/NBK66043.2/figure/CDR0000062947__131/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062947131">(more...)</a></p></div></div></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046119/" class="def">Thoracoscopy</a></b>: A <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045570/" class="def">surgical</a> procedure to look at the organs inside the chest to check for abnormal areas. An incision (cut) is made between two ribs, and a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000476929/" class="def">thoracoscope</a> is inserted into the chest. A thoracoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045762/" class="def">lymph node</a> samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer. In some cases, this procedure is used to remove part of the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046408/" class="def">esophagus</a> or lung. If certain tissues, organs, or lymph nodes can&#x02019;t be reached, a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045926/" class="def">thoracotomy</a> may be done. In this procedure, a larger incision is made between the ribs and the chest is opened.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046612/" class="def">Thoracentesis</a></b>:
The removal of fluid from the space between the lining of the chest and the lung, using a needle. A pathologist views the fluid under a microscope to look for cancer cells.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046287/" class="def">Mediastinoscopy</a></b>: A surgical procedure to look at the organs, tissues, and lymph nodes between the lungs for abnormal areas. An incision (cut) is made at the top of the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000549425/" class="def">breastbone</a> and a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000514453/" class="def">mediastinoscope</a> is inserted into the chest. A mediastinoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044052/" class="def">Light</a> and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044025/" class="def">electron microscopy</a></b>: A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under regular and high-powered microscopes to look for certain changes in the cells.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000653117/" class="def">Immunohistochemistry</a></b>: A test that uses <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044918/" class="def">antibodies</a> to check for certain <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046086/" class="def">antigens</a> in a sample of tissue. The antibody is usually linked to a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046550/" class="def">radioactive</a> substance or a dye that causes the tissue to light up under a microscope. This type of test may be used to tell the difference between different types of cancer.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__71"><h3>Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and
treatment options.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__73">The <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045849/" class="def">prognosis</a> (chance of
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000454708/" class="def">recovery</a>) and treatment options depend on the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__128"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045885/" class="def">stage</a> of the cancer (whether it is in the chest
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000463703/" class="def">cavity</a> only or has spread to other places in the body).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The patient&#x02019;s age, gender,
and general health.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__162">For certain patients, prognosis also depends on whether the patient is treated with both <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045214/" class="def">chemotherapy</a> and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044971/" class="def">radiation</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__74"><h3>For most patients with small cell lung cancer, current
treatments do not cure the cancer.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__76">If lung cancer is found, patients should think about taking part in one of the many
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045961/" class="def">clinical trials</a> being done to
improve treatment. Clinical trials are taking place in
most parts of the country for patients with all stages of small cell lung
cancer. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI Web site</a>.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062947__77"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__77_">Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer</h2><div class="box"><h4><span class="title">Key Points for This Section</span></h4><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__78">After small cell lung cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done
to find out if cancer cells have spread within the chest or to other parts of
the body. </a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__143">There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__168">Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__82">The following stages are used for small cell lung cancer:
</a></div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__78"><h3>After small cell lung cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done
to find out if cancer cells have spread within the chest or to other parts of
the body. </h3><p id="CDR0000062947__80">The process used to find out if <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> has spread within the chest or to other parts
of the body is called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046597/" class="def">staging</a>. The
information gathered from the staging process determines the
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045885/" class="def">stage</a> of the disease. It is
important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. Some of the tests used to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046450/" class="def">diagnose</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045327/" class="def">small cell lung cancer</a> are also used to stage the disease. (See the <a href="#CDR0000062947__67">General Information</a> section.)
</p><p id="CDR0000062947__164">Other tests and procedures that may be used in the staging process include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__81"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045788/" class="def">MRI</a> (magnetic
resonance imaging) of the brain</b>: A procedure that uses a magnet, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000651209/" class="def">radio waves</a>, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046033/" class="def">CT scan</a> (CAT scan)</b>: A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the brain, chest or upper <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045070/" class="def">abdomen</a>, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045944/" class="def">x-ray</a> machine. A <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000409764/" class="def">dye</a> may be <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044678/" class="def">injected</a> into a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000476471/" class="def">vein</a> or swallowed to help the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000257523/" class="def">organs</a> or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046683/" class="def">tissues</a> show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046140/" class="def">PET scan</a> (positron emission tomography scan)</b>: A procedure to find <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045772/" class="def">malignant</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046634/" class="def">tumor</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046476/" class="def">cells</a> in the body. A small amount of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046550/" class="def">radioactive</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044033/" class="def">glucose</a> (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000386220/" class="def">scanner</a> rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do. A PET scan and CT scan may be done at the same time. This is called a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000742485/" class="def">PET-CT</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>
<b><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046499/" class="def">Bone
scan</a></b>: A procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the bone. A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__143"><h3>There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__143_69">Cancer can spread through <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046683/" class="def">tissue</a>, the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045764/" class="def">lymph system</a>, and the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270735/" class="def">blood</a>:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__143_70"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Tissue. The cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas.
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system. The cancer travels through the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000269462/" class="def">lymph vessels</a> to other parts of the body.
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Blood. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood. The cancer travels through the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045020/" class="def">blood vessels</a> to other parts of the body.
</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__168"><h3>Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__168_66">When cancer spreads to another part of the body, it is called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046710/" class="def">metastasis</a>. Cancer <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046476/" class="def">cells</a> break away from where they began (the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045847/" class="def">primary tumor</a>) and travel through the lymph system or blood.</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__168_67"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Lymph system. The cancer gets into the lymph system, travels through the lymph vessels, and forms a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046634/" class="def">tumor</a> (<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044058/" class="def">metastatic</a> tumor) in another part of the body.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Blood. The cancer gets into the blood, travels through the blood vessels, and forms a tumor (metastatic tumor) in another part of the body.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__170">The metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain, the cancer cells in the brain are actually <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000445043/" class="def">lung cancer</a> cells. The disease is metastatic small cell lung cancer, not brain cancer.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__82"><h3>The following stages are used for small cell lung cancer:
</h3><div id="CDR0000062947__84"><h4>Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062947__86">In <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045910/" class="def">limited-stage</a>,
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> is in the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270740/" class="def">lung</a> where it started and may have spread to the area between the lungs or to the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045762/" class="def">lymph nodes</a> above the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000639993/" class="def">collarbone</a>. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__87"><h4>Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062947__89">In <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045911/" class="def">extensive-stage</a>,
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> has spread beyond the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270740/" class="def">lung</a> or the area between the lungs or the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045762/" class="def">lymph nodes</a> above the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000639993/" class="def">collarbone</a> to other places in the body.</p></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062947__90"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__90_">Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062947__91"><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045862/" class="def">Recurrent</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045327/" class="def">small cell lung cancer</a> is
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> that has recurred (come back)
after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the chest,
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046481/" class="def">central nervous system</a>, or in other
parts of the body.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__92"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__92_">Treatment Option Overview</h2><div class="box"><h4><span class="title">Key Points for This Section</span></h4><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__93">There are different types of treatment for patients with small
cell lung cancer. </a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__97">Five types of standard treatment are used:</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__109">New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.
</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__145">Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__147">Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062947__149">Follow-up tests may be needed.</a></div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__93"><h3>There are different types of treatment for patients with small
cell lung cancer. </h3><p id="CDR0000062947__95">Different types of treatment are available for patients with
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045327/" class="def">small cell lung cancer</a>. Some
treatments are <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044930/" class="def">standard</a> (the currently used treatment), and some are being
tested in <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045961/" class="def">clinical trials</a>. A treatment clinical trial is a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000651211/" class="def">research study</a> meant to help improve
current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a>. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the
standard treatment, the new
treatment may become the standard treatment. Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__97"><h3>Five types of standard treatment are used:</h3><div id="CDR0000062947__99"><h4>Surgery </h4><p id="CDR0000062947__101"><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045570/" class="def">Surgery</a> may be used if
the cancer is found in one <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000270740/" class="def">lung</a> and in nearby <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045762/" class="def">lymph
nodes</a> only. Because this type of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000445043/" class="def">lung cancer</a> is usually found in
both lungs, surgery alone is not often used. During surgery, the
doctor will also remove lymph nodes to find out if they have cancer in them. Sometimes, surgery may be used
to remove a sample of lung <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046683/" class="def">tissue</a> to find out the exact type of lung cancer. </p><p id="CDR0000062947__102">Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the
time of the operation, some patients may be given <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045214/" class="def">chemotherapy</a> or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044971/" class="def">radiation therapy</a> after surgery to kill any cancer
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046476/" class="def">cells</a> that are left. Treatment given after the surgery, to lower the risk that the cancer will come back, is called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045587/" class="def">adjuvant
therapy</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__103"><h4>Chemotherapy </h4><p id="CDR0000062947__105">Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000348921/" class="def">drugs</a> to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044678/" class="def">injected</a> into a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000476471/" class="def">vein</a> or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000301626/" class="def">systemic chemotherapy</a>). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046483/" class="def">cerebrospinal fluid</a>, an <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000257523/" class="def">organ</a>, or a body <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000463703/" class="def">cavity</a> such as the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045070/" class="def">abdomen</a>, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046559/" class="def">regional chemotherapy</a>). The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045885/" class="def">stage</a> of the cancer being treated.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__158">See <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/lung#3" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Drugs Approved for Small Cell Lung Cancer</a> for more information.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__106"><h4>Radiation therapy
</h4><p id="CDR0000062947__108">Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045944/" class="def">x-rays</a> or other types of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045072/" class="def">radiation</a> to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046686/" class="def">External radiation</a> therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046345/" class="def">Internal radiation</a> therapy uses a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046550/" class="def">radioactive</a> substance sealed in needles, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000257219/" class="def">seeds</a>, wires, or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045637/" class="def">catheters</a> that are placed directly into or near the cancer. <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046537/" class="def">Prophylactic cranial irradiation</a>
(radiation therapy to the brain to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to
the brain) may also be given. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__151"><h4>Laser therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062947__153"><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045154/" class="def">Laser therapy</a> is a
cancer treatment that uses a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045748/" class="def">laser beam</a> (a narrow beam of intense light) to kill cancer <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046476/" class="def">cells</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__154"><h4>Endoscopic stent placement</h4><p id="CDR0000062947__156"> An <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046428/" class="def">endoscope</a> is a thin, tube-like instrument used to look at <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046683/" class="def">tissues</a> inside the body. An endoscope has a light and a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000572035/" class="def">lens</a> for viewing and may be used to place a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044903/" class="def">stent</a> in a body structure to keep the structure open. An endoscopic stent can be used to open an airway blocked by <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044636/" class="def">abnormal</a> tissue.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062947__109"><h3>New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.
</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__111">Information about clinical trials is available from the
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI Web site</a>. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__145"><h3>Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__145_23">For some patients, taking part in a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045961/" class="def">clinical trial</a> may be the best treatment choice. Clinical trials are part of the cancer research process. Clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044930/" class="def">standard treatment</a>.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__145_24">Many of today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. Patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the first to receive a new treatment.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__145_25">Patients who take part in clinical trials also help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future. Even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments, they often answer important questions and help move research forward.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__147"><h3>Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__147_29">Some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment. Other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better. There are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046556/" class="def">recurring</a> (coming back) or reduce the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046580/" class="def">side effects</a> of cancer treatment.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__147_30">Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. See the Treatment Options section that follows for links to current treatment clinical trials. These have been retrieved from <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044267/" class="def">NCI's</a> listing of clinical trials. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__149"><h3>Follow-up tests may be needed.</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__149_33">Some of the tests that were done to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046450/" class="def">diagnose</a> the cancer or to find out the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045885/" class="def">stage</a> of the cancer may be repeated. Some tests will be repeated in order to see how well the treatment is working. Decisions about whether to continue, change, or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__149_34">Some of the tests will continue to be done from time to time after treatment has ended. The results of these tests can show if your <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000651193/" class="def">condition</a> has changed or if the cancer has <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046556/" class="def">recurred</a> (come back). These tests are sometimes called <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044671/" class="def">follow-up</a> tests or check-ups.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062947__112"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__112_">Treatment Options by Stage </h2><div id="CDR0000062947__113"><h3>Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__114">Treatment of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045910/" class="def">limited-stage small cell
lung cancer</a> may include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__115"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045650/" class="def">Combination
chemotherapy</a> and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044971/" class="def">radiation
therapy</a> to the chest. Radiation therapy to the brain may later be given to patients with <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045652/" class="def">complete responses</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Combination chemotherapy alone for patients who cannot be given radiation therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045570/" class="def">Surgery</a> followed by <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045214/" class="def">chemotherapy</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation therapy to the brain may be given to patients who have had a complete <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044085/" class="def">response</a>, to prevent the spread of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> to the brain.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045961/" class="def">Clinical trials</a> of
new chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatments.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__TrialSearch_113_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=37819&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=1" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">limited stage small cell lung cancer</a>. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. Talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you. General information about clinical trials is available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__117"><h3>Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__118">Treatment of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045911/" class="def">extensive-stage small cell
lung cancer</a> may include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__119"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045650/" class="def">Combination chemotherapy</a>. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044971/" class="def">Radiation therapy</a> to the brain, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000415914/" class="def">spine</a>, bone, or other parts
of the body where the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> has spread, as <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045815/" class="def">palliative therapy</a> to relieve
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045022/" class="def">symptoms</a> and improve
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045417/" class="def">quality of life</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation therapy to the chest may be given to patients who <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044085/" class="def">respond</a> to <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045214/" class="def">chemotherapy</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation therapy to the brain may be given to patients who have had a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045652/" class="def">complete response</a>, to prevent the spread of cancer to the brain.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045961/" class="def">Clinical trials</a> of new <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045214/" class="def">chemotherapy</a> treatments.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__TrialSearch_117_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=37829&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=1" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">extensive stage small cell lung cancer</a>. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. Talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you. General information about clinical trials is available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062947__121"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__121_">Treatment Options for Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062947__122">Treatment of <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045862/" class="def">recurrent</a>
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045327/" class="def">small cell lung cancer</a> may include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__123"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045214/" class="def">Chemotherapy</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044971/" class="def">Radiation therapy</a> as
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045815/" class="def">palliative therapy</a> to relieve
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045022/" class="def">symptoms</a> and improve
<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045417/" class="def">quality of life</a>.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045154/" class="def">Laser therapy</a>, <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044903/" class="def">stent</a> placement to keep airways open, and/or <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000046345/" class="def">internal
radiation therapy</a> as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve
quality of life. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045961/" class="def">Clinical trials</a> of
new chemotherapy treatments.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__TrialSearch_121_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=37831&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=1" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">recurrent small cell lung cancer</a>. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. Talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you. General information about clinical trials is available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__135"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__135_">To Learn More About Small Cell Lung Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062947__136">For more information from the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000044266/" class="def">National Cancer Institute</a> about small cell lung cancer, see the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__159"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/types/lung" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Lung Cancer Home Page</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/wyntk-lung-cancer" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">What You Need to Know About&#x02122;Lung Cancer</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062825/">Lung Cancer Prevention</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000258019/">Lung Cancer Screening</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/lung#3" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Drugs Approved for Small Cell Lung Cancer</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Tobacco</a> (includes help with quitting)</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/quit-smoking-pdq" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Cigarette Smoking: Health Risks and How to Quit</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062861/">Smoking in Cancer Care</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/second-hand-smoke-fact-sheet" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Secondhand Smoke and Cancer</a></div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062947__135_40">For general <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary/def-item/glossary_CDR0000045333/" class="def">cancer</a> information and other resources from the National Cancer Institute, see the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062947__135_41"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Staging</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/chemo-and-you" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/radiation-therapy-and-you" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People With Cancer</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Coping with Cancer</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/questions" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/resources/survivors.html" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">For Survivors and Caregivers</a>
</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_1"><h2 id="_CDR0000062947__AboutThis_1_">About This PDQ Summary</h2><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_2"><h3>About PDQ</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_3">Physician Data Query (PDQ) is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) comprehensive cancer information database. The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Most summaries come in two versions. The health professional versions have detailed information written in technical language. The patient versions are written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language. Both versions have cancer information that is accurate and up to date and most versions are also available in <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/publicaciones/pdq" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Spanish</a>.</p><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_4">PDQ is a service of the NCI. The NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is the federal government&#x02019;s center of biomedical research. The PDQ summaries are based on an independent review of the medical literature. They are not policy statements of the NCI or the NIH.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_5"><h3>Purpose of This Summary</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_6">This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the treatment of small cell lung cancer. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_7"><h3>Reviewers and Updates</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_8">Editorial Boards write the PDQ cancer information summaries and keep them up to date. These Boards are made up of experts in cancer treatment and other specialties related to cancer. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made when there is new information. The date on each summary ("Date Last Modified") is the date of the most recent change.
</p><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_9">The information in this patient summary was taken from the health professional version, which is reviewed regularly and updated as needed, by the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq/editorial-boards/adult-treatment" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board</a>.
</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_10"><h3>Clinical Trial Information</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_11">A clinical trial is a study to answer a scientific question, such as whether one treatment is better than another. Trials are based on past studies and what has been learned in the laboratory. Each trial answers certain scientific questions in order to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. During treatment clinical trials, information is collected about the effects of a new treatment and how well it works. If a clinical trial shows that a new treatment is better than one currently being used, the new treatment may become "standard." Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment.
</p><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_12">Clinical trials are listed in PDQ and can be found online at <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI's website</a>. Many cancer doctors who take part in clinical trials are also listed in PDQ. For more information, call the Cancer Information Service 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_13"><h3>Permission to Use This Summary</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_14">PDQ is a registered trademark. The content of PDQ documents can be used freely as text. It cannot be identified as an NCI PDQ cancer information summary unless the whole summary is shown and it is updated regularly. However, a user would be allowed to write a sentence such as &#x0201c;NCI&#x02019;s PDQ cancer information summary about breast cancer prevention states the risks in the following way: [include excerpt from the summary].&#x0201d;
</p><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_15">The best way to cite this PDQ summary is:</p><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_21">PDQ&#x000ae; Adult Treatment Editorial Board. PDQ Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated &#x0003c;MM/DD/YYYY&#x0003e;. Available at: <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">http://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq</a>. Accessed &#x0003c;MM/DD/YYYY&#x0003e;. [PMID: 26389478]</p><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_16">Images in this summary are used with permission of the author(s), artist, and/or publisher for use in the PDQ summaries only. If you want to use an image from a PDQ summary and you are not using the whole summary, you must get permission from the owner. It cannot be given by the National Cancer Institute. Information about using the images in this summary, along with many other images related to cancer can be found in <a href="http://visualsonline.cancer.gov/" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Visuals Online</a>. Visuals Online is a collection of more than 2,000 scientific images.
</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_17"><h3>Disclaimer</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_18">The information in these summaries should not be used to make decisions about insurance reimbursement. More information on insurance coverage is available on Cancer.gov on the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Managing Cancer Care</a> page.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_19"><h3>Contact Us</h3><p id="CDR0000062947__AboutThis_20">More information about contacting us or receiving help with the Cancer.gov website can be found on our <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/contact" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Contact Us for Help</a> page. Questions can also be submitted to Cancer.gov through the website&#x02019;s <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/contact/email-us" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">E-mail Us</a>.</p></div></div></div></div>
<div class="post-content"><div><div class="half_rhythm"><a href="/books/about/copyright/">Copyright Notice</a></div><div class="small"><span class="label">Bookshelf ID: NBK66043</span><span class="label">PMID: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26389478" title="PubMed record of this page" ref="pagearea=meta&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">26389478</a></span></div></div></div>
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<div xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Views</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="PDF_download" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/?report=reader">PubReader</a></li><li><a href="/books/NBK66043.2/?report=printable">Print View</a></li><li><a data-jig="ncbidialog" href="#_ncbi_dlg_citbx_NBK66043" data-jigconfig="width:400,modal:true">Cite this Page</a><div id="_ncbi_dlg_citbx_NBK66043" style="display:none" title="Cite this Page"><div class="bk_tt">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Patient Version. 2016 Feb 3. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. <span class="bk_cite_avail"></span></div></div></li><li><a href="#" class="toggle-glossary-link" title="Enable/disable links to the glossary">Disable Glossary Links</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Version History</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter shutter_closed" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="version_history" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content" style="display: none;"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><span class="bk_col_itm"><a href="/books/NBK66043.22/">NBK66043.22</a></span> November 1, 2024</li><li><span class="bk_col_itm"><a href="/books/NBK66043.21/">NBK66043.21</a></span> August 23, 2024</li><li><span class="bk_col_itm"><a 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class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>In this Page</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="page-toc" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__50" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">General Information About Small Cell Lung Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__77" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__90" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__92" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Treatment Option Overview</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__112" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Treatment Options by Stage </a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__121" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Treatment Options for Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__135" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">To Learn More About Small Cell Lung Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062947__AboutThis_1" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">About This PDQ Summary</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Related publications</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="document-links" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><a href="/books/NBK65909/">Health Professional Version</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Similar articles 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