SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER INFO NEEDED

[IRISHRAIN]

Would like to read everything you have on SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER. TOO HARD TO FIND INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER FOR ME AS IS. THANK YOU.

[jpoehlmann]

I can't tell you much as I have NSCLC, but I was just chatting with my oncologist the other day about small cell (I have a relative who just went through treatment for small cell). Here is what he told me.

Small cell is very aggressive but it usually responds to first line chemotherapy very well. Many (possibly most) patients go into remission, often no evidence of disease after chemo. But somewhere around 80-85% will have a recurrence of the cancer, and it tends to have a poor prognosis at that time. However, after first line chemo, about 1 in 5 patients are actually cured, which is a remarkably high number for any type of lung cancer.

If there is a recurrence, it used to be expected that patients might only have a matter of months, but various approaches seem to offer new hope. AND there is a clinical trial going on right now for a promising new second line therapy -- this is important, though: you can only qualify for it if you have not tried any other second round treatment. So if chemo was done first and the cancer returns, make sure to check clinical trials before committing to another series of chemo.

[IRISHRAIN in reply to jpoehlmann]

Thank you jpoe for information. Will certainly look into clinical trials. I have a lot to learn.

[Lindajo44 in reply to jpoehlmann]

Are you referring to Limited or Extended SCLC? We are dealing with metastatic SCLC, liver and bone. Your stats are very encouraging. We are in first line chemo.

[jpoehlmann in reply to Lindajo44]

I believe the discussion I had was regarding extensive SCLC, as the patient I know definitely had metastatic expression in her liver. Wishing you well!

[Pinecone112 in reply to jpoehlmann]

I was diagnosed 4 years ago I had chemo and radiation to lungs I also had radiation to the brain ( no brain cancer ) this was done proforactiveliy so it doesn’t go there No evidence that My cancer is active Is it true that after 5 years I a.m. considered a survivor?

[jpoehlmann in reply to Pinecone112]

The term, "survivor," really is just used by people who are living beyond their diagnosis or beyond the initial guess of how long they might live without treatment. I.e., untreated, I would have expected no more than 18 months based on my initial diagnosis. However, some of us are trying to shift perspective away from "surviving" to "living" or "thriving" or any other way of expressing that you expect to still be alive vs the expectation that you should be dead. If you have no evidence of disease, that is wonderful news. Call yourself whatever you want, whatever helps you feel empowered, and enjoy it. Don't wait for the five-year mark -- it'll be here soon enough.

[FtB_Peggy]

Good morning, Irishrain! Thank you for joining our community. If you live in the US or Canada, I could mail you our free Patient Information Kit. Also, I could email you some of our Resource Guides for financial assistance, help with travel expenses, etc. All free, just email me at [e-mail]. If you are outside of the US you can still download our materials for free - lcrf.org/resources. We want to help.

[tubguy]

I have sclc and currently no evidence of disease. I go to Cancer Treatment Centers of America north of Chicago in Zion Ill.. Super awesome place - highly recommend this center !!

[tubguy]

CTCA even for 2nd opinion !!