Small Cell Lung Cancer Overview

What is Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a type of less commonly diagnosed lung cancer. It is characterized by a tumor that begins in the lungs, more commonly in the bronchi. Small cell lung cancer is also referred as oat cell cancer and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma.

Small cell lung cancer generally spreads more quickly than other types of lung cancer. It can produce large tumors, and has the ability to spread to the brain, lymph nodes, liver and other parts of the body. With all this in mind, it responds well to chemotherapy.

What Causes Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Small cell lung is caused by smoking. Non-smokers rearely develop the disease. Quitting smoking is your best defense against small cell lung cancer.

Symptoms of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Symptoms include:

• Wheezing
  
• Persistent Cough
  
• Spitting up blood, or bloody phlegm
  
• Unintentional weight loss
  
• Hoarseness, or persistent sore throat

Treatment Options for Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes surgery. Many times chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given at the same time.

Prognosis

Prognosis heavily depends on the stage of the disease. However, when detected early, the survival rate can be as high as 25%. In the disease has advanced, survival rates average around 5% or less.