What is metastatic SCLC?

Metastasis, or cancer spread, is a top concern for people who have small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer can grow quickly and affect the brain, bones and liver and adrenal glands . Small cell lung cancer that spreads is treatable but generally isn’t curable.

What is LD SCLC?

According to the Veteran’s Administration Lung Study Group’s 2-stages classification scheme, the extension of disease in patients with SCLC is distinguished in: limited disease (LD)-SCLC, defined as a tumor that is confined to ipsilateral hemithorax, mediastinal, or supraclavicular lymph nodes, which can be safely …

How does SCLC develop?

SCLC is primarily caused by cancer causing chemicals (carcinogens) that are found in tobacco smoke. These carcinogens cause damage to the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid; genes) in cells which leads to cancer. However, the exact reason normal cells become cancerous is not known.

Can extensive-stage SCLC be cured?

Patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer are generally treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy; surgery is not an option. Extensive-stage disease is not considered to be curable, and the goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer and to prolong life.

Where does small cell carcinoma start?

SCLC is very rare in people who have never smoked. SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) in the center of the chest. Although the cancer cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive.

How quickly does SCLC grow?

Given the neuroendocrinological origin of SCLC, it is considered the prototype of rapidly growing malignancies with doubling time in the range of 25 to 217 days according to several studies.