Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Basics

Lung cancer is caused by lung cells growing out of control. As the number of cells grows, they form a tumor. There are many types of lung cancers. Lung cancer that has spread from the lung to another part of the body is called metastatic cancer. Other types of lung cancer include non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma, and carcinoid tumors.

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

• Makes up 13 out of 100 cases of all lung cancers.
• SCLC is more aggressive than non-small cell lung cancer.
• Grows quickly and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Risks

Smoking cigarettes (now or in the past) is the leading cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer in non-smokers has been rising in recent years. Other causes of lung cancer include radon, radiation, asbestos, and pollution.

Screening

Smokers or former heavy smokers can have a CT scan to screen for lung cancer. This test can find lung cancer sooner and may help patients live longer. Talk to your healthcare provider about if you should have this test.

Signs of Lung Cancer

The early stages of lung cancer may not have any signs. As the tumor grows in size, it can cause signs.

• Cough (one that doesn't go away or gets worse). A cough is the most common sign. Many long-term smokers have a cough that doesn't go away. If there is a change in your cough, see your provider.
• Coughing up blood or bloody phlegm.
• Chest pain.
• Hard time breathing or wheezing.
• New hoarseness or change in speech.
• Having pneumonia or bronchitis that keeps coming back.
• Weight loss and loss of appetite.
• Feeling tired.

Diagnosis of Small Cell Lung Cancer

If your healthcare providers think you may have lung cancer, they will order tests. Here are some of the tests:

• Chest x-ray.
• CT scan.
• Sputum cytology (looking at your phlegm for cancer cells).
• A PET scan and an MRI scan of the brain are often done to look at other parts of the body to check if the cancer has spread.

These tests are important, but a biopsy is the only way to know for sure if you have cancer. A biopsy:

• Looks at a piece of the lung for cancer cells.
• Is used to find out the cancer type, how normal it is (grade), and if it has spread.
• May look at samples from lymph nodes to check for cancer.
• The biopsy may be done using a bronchoscopy (a small camera passed down your throat into the lungs) or by surgery.

A pathology report sums up these results and is sent to your healthcare provider, usually 5 to 10 days after the biopsy. This report helps guide your treatment plan. You can ask for a copy of your report for your records.

Staging Small Cell Lung Cancer

To guide treatment, lung cancer is "staged." This stage is based on:

• Size and location of the tumor.
• If there are cancer cells in your lymph nodes.
• If there are cancer cells in other parts of your body.

Knowing the stage of your cancer can help you make decisions about your treatment. SCLC can be limited stage or extensive stage. Talk to your provider about the stage of your cancer.

Treatment

Often, these treatments are used:

• Surgery is usually only used for SCLC if it is found early.
• A combination of chemotherapy/immunotherapy and radiation therapy is often given.
• Most people with small cell cancers will also have radiation to the brain to treat metastasis or to prevent the cancer from spreading there.

This article is a basic guide to small-cell lung cancer. Learn more about this type of lung cancer and its treatment at Small Cell Lung Cancer: Staging and Treatment.