By Daniel A. Saez, M.Sc., Treatment and Trials Navigator, GO2 for Lung Cancer
Patients diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) have new hope because of recent advances in early detection and treatment. To amplify this positive message, we are working with industry partners to empower patients diagnosed with SCLC with the information they need to obtain the most appropriate care available.
There are two types of lung cancer. SCLC accounts for 15-20% of all cases, with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) making up the bulk of diagnoses. SCLC—named for the small, oval-shaped cancer cells seen under a microscope—may be less common, but it is faster growing. It usually starts in the breathing tubes known as bronchi in the center of the chest, and spreads quickly from there.
SCLC differentiates from NSCLC mostly in that:
- It spreads rapidly.
- Staging of SCLC is restricted to limited and extensive (see more below).
- There are no identified biomarkers for SCLC with associated targeted therapies.
Staging of SCLC differs from that of NSCLC. Most cancers, including NSCLC, are divided into four stages: II, III, IV, and I. However, SCLC is divided into limited stage (stage I through III) or extensive stage (stage IV). Limited stage refers to cancer caught while still in only one lung or the nearby lymph nodes. This means it was found early. Extensive stage refers to cancer caught after it has spread outside of the lungs.
Risks associated with a diagnosis of SCLC or NSCLC are the same, including a history of smoking, exposure to radiation and/or radon, a family history of lung cancer, and a history of other lung diseases. The most common risk factor associated with SCLC is smoking, with nearly 98% of individuals diagnosed with SCLC having a history of smoking. If you or your loved ones have any of these risk factors, please ask your doctor about lung cancer screening. This is especially important if you are over age 60, as most SCLC shows up in older adults.
At one time, SCLC patients only had to access chemotherapy. Today, patients diagnosed with SCLC have access to a new drug and immunotherapy treatments. With more research in the pipeline, we anticipate additional treatment options in the future. There are over 100 actively recruiting interventional clinical trials (meaning the trial is for direct treatment of the disease) for SCLC in the U.S. Patient participation in clinical trials can provide access to cutting-edge drugs and ensure continued treatment advances for current and future generations of patients. We encourage all patients with lung cancer to discuss clinical trial options with their doctor. For a better understanding of your treatment and clinical trial options, you can also reach out to our LungMatch specialists for a discussion.
The next issue of Magnifying LeNS, our new quarterly scientific educational newsletter, will contain a more in-depth explanation of why clinical trials are so important for small cell lung cancer patients. Subscribe today!
GO2 for Lung Cancer is committed to empowering SCLC patients with access to personalized treatment navigation through LungMATCH, free assistance and support through our HelpLine, one-on-one peer support services through Phone Buddies, and our patient education and support series Living Room. Keep an eye on our Living Room series later this year for news and advancements in SCLC treatment.
What about sclc transformation? That is a growing concern in the oncogene driven community?
Transformation of EGFR+ adenocarcinoma to SCLC is certainly an important issue impacting these patients. As you are probably aware, the current treatment options for de novo SCLC and SCLC by transformation are very similar – we need more research in this area to increase specific treatment options. By increasing education and information about SCLC, and promoting research in both areas we are hoping to also see an impact here.
-Daniel A. Saez, MSc, Treatment and Trials Navigator and Andrew Ciupek, PhD, Manager, Clinical Research