Small cell lung cancer is a type of cancer, typically characterized by the development of cancerous cells in the tissues in the central area of the lungs. Based on the type of cancerous cells and their appearance under a microscope, it is further categorized into two types:
» Small cell carcinoma
» Combined small cell carcinoma
One of the major causes of small cell lung cancer is smoking. Both active and passive smokers are vulnerable to this disease. Its symptoms include cough, difficulty in breathing, sudden weight loss, chest pain, and swelling of the face. Physical examination, lung biopsy and CT scan are commonly used diagnostic tools for this condition, while treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy in case of small cell lung cancer by and large depends on the stage at which it was detected, and the treatment that the person is subjected to. Other variables include the general health of the individual at the time of diagnosis, health conditions (if any), patient's response to the treatment, etc. In order to facilitate proper treatment, the medical fraternity has divided the ailment into two stages -
» Limited stage - Cancerous cells affect only one lung and lymph nodes on the same side
» Extensive stage - The malignant cells spread to both the lungs and lymph nodes extend even further to other organs
Around 60-70 percent of the people are already in the extensive stage at the time of diagnosis. In this stage, the life expectancy is approximately 1 year, i.e. 12 months. If the patient undergoes radiation therapy, the life expectancy may increase to 20 months, and a combination of thermal ablation and radiation therapy can increase it to 42 months. Even though it is possible to increase the life expectancy of this condition by opting for surgical treatment, most of the patients don't qualify for surgery owing to late diagnosis, age or some underlying medical condition.
5-year Relative Survival Rate
The term 5 year relative survival rate refers to the percentage of people who live for 5 years or more after the disease is diagnosed. On an average, small cell lung cancer survival rate is only 6 percent; i.e. only 6 percent of those diagnosed with this condition live for 5 years or more.
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
kinds of cancer cells | image of cancer cells | cancer cells and normal cells | names of cancer cells | apoptosis in cancer cells | low grade cancer cells | pre cancer cells
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