Small cell lung cancer spreads quickly. In many cases, cancer cells have already spread to other parts of the body when the disease is diagnosed. In order to reach cancer cells throughout the body, doctors almost always use chemotherapy. Treatment may also include radiation therapy aimed at the tumor in the lung or tumors in other parts of the body (such as the brain). Some patients have radiation therapy to the brain even though no cancer is found there. This treatment, called prophylactic cranial irradiation, (PCI), is given to prevent tumors from forming in the brain. Surgery is part of the treatment plan for a small number of patients with small cell lung cancer.

• Lung cancer treatment at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
• How is lung cancer treated?
• Photodynamic therapy for lung cancer
• Treatment options for small cell lung cancer
• Chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer
• Radiation therapy for small cell lung cancer
• Clinical trials at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Where can I find more clinical trials?

Additional Resources

• Cancer Information on the Web
• Cancer Information Service Resources