Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer has the worst prognosis and is rarely suitable for surgical resection. Even when caught early the 2-year survival is in the order of 20-25%. The mainstay of therapy is chemotherapy. Squamous cell cancer is radiosensitive and suitable for radical radiotherapy if surgery is not possible. Small cell cancer is associated with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and squamous cell cancer is associated with paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia through increased parathyroid-related hormone. Seventy-five percent of small cell cancers arise in the proximal airways.