J Lung Cancer.
2003 Dec;2(2):91-99.
Chemotherapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Hematology-Oncology Ajou University School of Medicine Suwon, Korea. jhchoimd@ajou.ac.kr
Abstract
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 13% of lung cancer in Korea. Although it is highly sensitive to chemotherapy, less than 10% of SCLC patients have long term survival. Four to six cycles of induction chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with SCLC. While etoposide plus cisplatin seems to have the best activity in limited disease, there are no significant differences in survival among various regimens in extensive disease. Irinotecan or paclitaxel-based regimens have demonstrated improved survival compared to standard arms in two randomized trials, although further studies are essential to prove the superiority of them. Early concurrent chemoradiotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin should be considered for patients with limited disease. In recurrent disease, single agent chemotherapy or reinduction with initial regimen is appropriate approach in patients with sensitive relapse
