Title:Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Clinical Management and Unmet Needs New Perspectives for an Old Problem
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
Author(s): Giuseppe Lo Russo, Marianna Macerelli, Marco Platania, Nicoletta Zilembo, Milena Vitali, Diego Signorelli, Claudia Proto, Monica Ganzinelli, Rosaria Gallucci, Francesco Agustoni, Gianpiero Fasola, Filippo de Braud and Marina Chiara Garassino
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, management, radiotherapy, small cell lung cancer, target therapies.
Abstract: Small cell lung cancer is a highly aggressive, difficult to treat neoplasm. Among all lung tumors,
small cell lung cancers account for about 20%. Patients typically include heavy smokers in 70s
age group, presenting with symptoms such as intrathoracic tumors growth, distant spread or paraneoplastic
syndromes at the time of diagnosis. A useful and functional classification divides small cell lung
cancers into limited disease and extensive disease. Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is the standard
treatment for limited disease, with improved survival when combined with prophylactic cranial irradiation.
Platinum compounds (cisplatin/carboplatin) plus etoposide remain the cornerstone for extensive
disease. Nevertheless, despite high chemo- and radio-sensitivity of this cancer, nearly all patients relapse
within the first two years and the prognosis is extremely poor. A deeper understanding about small
cell lung cancer carcinogenesis led to develop and test a considerable number of new and targeted
agents but the results are currently weak or insufficient. To date, small cell lung cancer is still a challenge
for researchers. In this review, key aspects of small cell lung cancer management and controversial
points of standard and new treatments will be discussed.
