Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small Cell Lung Cancer (also called Small Cell Carcioma) affects around 15 % of patients with lung cancer.

Small Cell Lung Carcinoma is called this because the cancer cells when seen under a microscope are actually quite small.

This type of lung cancer, because the cells are dividing quickly, is responsive to chemotherapy (as chemotherapy attacks rapidly dividing cells). If a person with this type of lung cancer is fit enough to receive chemotherapy then this is the recommended treatment.

Your specialist may also talk to you about the role of radiotherapy to the chest and also to the brain. Radiotherapy can be given to the chest at the same time or just after chemotherapy to help with any benefits gained from chemotherapy. Radiotherapy to the brain is recommended if a person has responded to chemotherapy, where there is no indication that disease has spread to the brain, and this it to reduce the chance of cancer developing in the brain in the future.

Please speak to your Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist if you require more information.