Aggressive small cell carcinoma; associated with smoking
Expansion
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Purpose
Poor prognosis; rapid growth; staged as limited versus extensive disease
Clinical Context
Small cell lung cancer accounts for 15 percent lung cancers. Highly aggressive. Central location. Limited stage (one hemithorax plus regional nodes) versus extensive stage (distant metastases).
Related Terms
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Lung cancer
Key Points
- Small cell lung cancer very aggressive; extensive stage at diagnosis common; central hilum or mediastinal location typical