Contact
+91-9773635888What Is Small Cell Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer – the very mention of these two words carries a weight of concern and a shadow of uncertainty. While non-small cell lung cancer is a prevalent terminology that most people are aware of, given how common it is, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) isn’t as talked about.
While NSCLC accounts for 85% of the lung cancer cases, SCLC accounts for the remaining 15%. It is also the more aggressive of the two and is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages, explaining why its treatment is usually quite challenging.
Despite its aggressive nature, advancements in medical science have led to improved treatment options that help in managing the disease and improving patient outcomes, especially with leading lung cancer specialists like Dr. Arvind Kumar. We will cover everything about SCLC in this guide.
Small Cell Lung Cancer – Overview
To better understand the progression and manifestation of SCLC, it is crucial that we first understand what SCLC is and its types and characteristics.
SCLC originates from neuroendocrine cells in the lungs, which regulate hormonal responses. These cancerous cells grow rapidly and tend to form large tumours that can quickly spread to other body parts, including the brain, liver, and bones.
As for the characteristics, SCLC is characterised by the small, oat-shaped appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope, hence the name “small cell.” This type of cancer is strongly associated with smoking, with the vast majority of SCLC cases occurring in current or former smokers.
Unlike NSCLC, which is categorised into five distinct stages, there are primarily two small cell lung cancer types or stages you need to be aware of:
- Limited-Stage SCLC – Tumours are confined to one lung and possibly nearby lymph nodes.
- Extensive-Stage SCLC – Tumours have spread to the other lung, distant lymph nodes, and other organs.
Given how aggressive the nature of SCLC is, it isn’t surprising that the condition spreads or metastasises quicker than NSCLC, explaining why there are two stages of this type of lung cancer. Also, the aggressive nature demands quicker and early diagnosis and intervention before things do take a turn for the worse.
Also Read:How Is Lung Cancer In Women Different?
What are the Causes of Small Cell Lung Cancer?
While there are numerous small cell lung cancer causes, smoking accounts as the primary trigger in the majority of the diagnosed cases of SCLC.
That said, the following are all the potential causes and triggers that one needs to be aware of:
Smoking
As we previously highlighted, smoking is the primary cause of small-cell lung cancer. The chemicals in tobacco are the primary trigger contributing to the disease and the aggressive nature of the disease. 95% of the cases of SCLC are diagnosed in patients who have a history of smoking. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes damage lung cells, leading to mutations that cause cancer.
Secondhand smoke exposure
Not just active smoking, even passive smoking is equally damaging, increasing the risks of SCLC in the patients. So, even if you don’t smoke but are surrounded by people or an environment where smoking is prevalent, and you are inhaling all of that smoke passively, it can contribute to the complications of SCLC.
Radon gas exposure
An often less talked about trigger of SCLC is exposure to radon gas, which is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It can accumulate in homes and workplaces, and prolonged exposure to high levels of this gas can trigger the onset and progression of SCLC.
Asbestos exposure
Similar to radon gas exposure, asbestos exposure is a common risk factor, especially among industrial workers. This is a carcinogenic component, which increases the risks of SCLC significantly.
Genetic predisposition
If there is a family history of lung cancer, predominantly SCLC, it can also lead to a risk of SCLC in the individual. This primarily occurs due to inherited genetic mutations and requires ongoing screening for an early detection and proactive treatment approach for a better small-cell lung cancer survival rate in the patients.
Air pollution
The air you breathe, especially in cities with poor air quality index, is a major contributor to the development of SCLC. Prolonged exposure to air pollution and pollutants like diesel exhaust, arsenic, and other carcinogenic substances significantly increase SCLC risks.
Also Read: क्या फेफड़े के कैंसर का सफलतापूर्वक इलाज किया जा सकता है?
What are the Small Cell Lung Cancer Symptoms?
SCLC often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, as the cancer progresses, various symptoms may develop.
What’s surprising about the small cell lung cancer symptomsis that they can start as general symptoms like a light cough and can transform into something advanced and serious like bone pain, swelling in the face and neck, etc.
Following is a breakdown of the symptoms:
| Category of Symptoms | What are they? |
| General symptoms |
|
| Respiratory symptoms |
|
| Advanced symptoms (when metastasis happens) |
|
Dr. Arvind Kumar, a leading lung cancer specialist and thoracic surgeon, points out the need to be vigilant of any unusual symptoms or recurrent respiratory issues. These might indicate the development of SCLC, explaining why it is necessary that you quickly get a medical evaluation for an early diagnosis and effective treatment before the cancer metastasises.
How Is Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
The treatment plan for SCLC heavily relies on the correct diagnosis. The condition usually remains asymptomatic (in most cases) initially, so the key is to be vigilant if something seems amiss.
Once you schedule your consultation with Dr. Arvind Kumar, you can rest assured that you will get a comprehensive diagnosis, which should help with the treatment and quality of life.
Here’s a breakdown of all the potential diagnostic methods and how they help confirm the diagnosis of SCLC:
| Category of Diagnostic Test | Type of Test | What does it does? |
| Imaging Tests | Chest X-ray | Initial imaging to detect abnormal lung masses |
| CT Scan | Provides detailed cross-sectional images to determine tumour size and spread | |
| PET Scan | Helps detect cancerous spread to other organs | |
| MRI Scan | It is particularly useful for detecting brain metastasis | |
| Sputum Cytology | Examining Sputum | Examining mucus (sputum) under a microscope can help detect cancer cells. |
| Bronchoscopy and Biopsy | The device is inserted into the lungs to collect tissue samples (biopsy) for microscopic examination | |
| Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy | A needle is used to extract tissue or fluid samples from the lung or lymph nodes for analysis | |
| Laboratory Tests | Blood pathology tests | While blood tests cannot confirm lung cancer, they help assess overall health and organ function before starting treatment |
Following your initial consultation and physical assessment and listening to the symptoms and medical history, Dr. Arvind and his team will prescribe these diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis of SCLC.
What is the Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment and Life Expectancy?
The treatment protocol for SCLC usually depends on how advanced the condition is and the patient’s overall health. Since it is a more aggressive form of lung cancer, the condition usually requires a more proactive treatment approach with aggressive treatment protocols.
Following are some of the most commonly prescribed treatment options:
1. Chemotherapy
For patients diagnosed with SCLC, chemotherapy is the primary and standard treatment option, which is often coupled with other therapies. Some of the commonly prescribed drugs, like cisplatin and etoposide are used to kill cancer cells and prevent further growth.
2. Radiation therapy
The second best treatment option for combating SCLC is radiation therapy. The treatment targets and destroys the cancer cells and is often recommended in the following cases:
- In patients with limited stage SCLC when it is combined with chemotherapy.
- In patients with extensive stage SCLC, it relieves their symptoms and prevents progression.
- In patients, it is essential to prevent prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI), which prevents cancer from affecting the brain.
3. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs help enhance the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells. This is often combined with other treatment options for a more targeted treatment approach for the patient.
4. Surgery
Although not as prevalent, surgery is still an option in some cases. If the tumours are isolated and viable for surgery, it can be an option to eliminate the cancer before it takes a turn for the worse. This option is usually reserved when the SCLC is diagnosed very early.
SCLC has a lower survival rate than NSCLC due to its aggressive nature. The prognosis depends on the cancer stage at diagnosis and the patient’s response to treatment.
If we follow the statistics and reports available, patients with limited-stage SCLC have a 5-year survival rate of around 30%. The 5-year survival rate is around 10% for patients with extensive-stage SCLC.
Final Words
While SCLC can be aggressive, early detection is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. If you experience any symptoms that could be related to lung cancer, it’s essential to schedule a consultation with a specialist like Dr. Arvind Kumar. The more you delay seeing a medical professional, the more aggressive the condition becomes.
Getting an expert diagnosis and personalised treatment options at an early stage of SCLC is one of the best ways to beat the disease and come out stronger on the other side.
Schedule your consultation by contacting our team at +91-9773635888.
