Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: Therapeutic Management

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Abstract
Although bronchogenic carcinoma remains a tumor resistant to treatment, marked progress in the therapy of the small-cell undifferentiated subtype has occurred in the past 5 yr. Many aspects of its growth and metastatic spread are such that it is not satisfactorily treated surgically. It is sensitive to radiation and a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. Use of these agents in combination seems to produce a greater antitumor effect than single drugs. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy results in marked tumor regressions. Untreated, this carcinoma has a short median survival (2 mo.). Administration of current aggressive combination therapy regimens resulted in median survivals of nearly 1 yr with some patients still living 3 yr after therapy.