Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Overview

Save information for later
Sign Up

Learn About Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

View Main Condition: Lung Cancer

What is the definition of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease characterized by rapid, uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the lung that eventually form a tumor. Small cell lung carcinoma is considered to be a neuroendocrine carcinoma because the cancer cells have features of nerve and endocrine cells and can spread quickly to other areas of the body, such as the liver, adrenal glands, bone, and brain. Small cell lung cancer cells can act like tiny glands and can further cause a condition known as paraneoplastic disorder, in which the cancer cells secret chemical and hormones that cause a range of symptoms, such as abnormal blood mineral levels, high blood sugar, muscle weakness, or neurological symptoms. There are two types of small cell lung cancer: 1) oat cell small cell lung cancer, and 2) combined small cell lung carcinoma. Small cell carcinoma is categorized into two main stages: 1) limited-stage small cell carcinoma, which is possibly curable in 20-25% of individuals, and 2) extensive stage small cell carcinoma, which is difficult to treat. Limited-stage small cell lung cancer – In this stage, the cancer is in the lung and may spread to the area between the lungs or the lymph nodes above the collarbone. Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer – In this stage, the cancer has spread outside of the lung to the area between the lungs, the lymph nodes above the collarbone, or other places in the body.
What are the alternative names for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
There are several alternative names for small cell lung cancer, including combined small cell lung carcinoma, extensive-stage small cell carcinoma, limited-stage small cell carcinoma, oat cell carcinoma, and SCLC.
What are the causes of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
Smoking is the major cause of small cell lung cancer. The earlier an individual began smoking, the more often they smoke, and the more years they smoke all increase the risk of lung cancer. Additional risk factors for developing small cell lung cancer include exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to workplace chemicals, such as asbestos, arsenic, chromium, beryllium, nickel, soot, or tar, exposure to radiation, exposure to air pollution, having a family history of lung cancer, being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), taking beta carotene supplements, and aging.
What are the symptoms of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
While early small cell lung cancer rarely has symptoms, later symptoms may include loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, persistent or worsening coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath (dyspnea), hoarseness, chest discomfort or pain, pain in the shoulder or arm, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), swelling of the face or neck veins, bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, confusion, or seizures, recurrent lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes), numbness or tingling in hands, arms, feet, or legs, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
By the time small cell lung cancer is often discovered, it has usually already spread to other parts of the body; therefore, this cancer cannot be cured by surgery alone. For this reason, the main treatment for small cell lung cancer is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and supportive therapy. While, for most patients with small cell lung cancer, current treatments do not provide a cure, about 25% of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer can be cured with early treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery – Surgery for limited-stage small cell lung cancer may be performed if the cancer is in only one lung and nearby lymph nodes. However, small cell lung cancer is most often found in both lungs; therefore, surgery alone is not frequently used. If surgery is performed, the surgeon will remove all visible cancer and the adjacent lymph nodes. Surgery may be used in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy uses drugs that kill cancer cells or stop them from forming and can be administered orally (pills), intravenously (systemic chemotherapy; IV), intrathecally (directly into the spinal fluid), or directly into an organ or cavity (regional chemotherapy) and includes the drug regimen, platinum-based chemotherapy (etoposide combined with cisplatin or carboplatin) or irinotecan, for small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Radiation therapy – Radiation therapy uses high-energy doses of radiation, protons, or other radiation to kill cancer cells. External radiation therapy directs the radiation at the cancer and may be used to treat small cell lung cancer or as a palliative therapy to help relieve pain or symptoms. Preventative radiation therapy may be administered to the brain (prophylactic cranial irradiation; PCI) for small cell lung cancer to reduce the risk of cancer metastasis (spread) to the brain. Radiation therapy may be used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy (Biological therapy) – Immunotherapy uses a patient’s immune system to attack cancer cells and includes immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced small cell lung cancer such as CTLA-4 inhibitor therapy (ipilimumab) and PD-LI inhibitor therapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab , atezolizumab, and durvalumab). Supportive therapy – Patients with small cell lung cancer may need assistance with breathing, which includes the use of bronchodilators and supplemental oxygen therapy.
Who are the top Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Local Doctors?
Elite in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr. Christine Hann
Oncology
Elite in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr. Christine Hann
Oncology

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

300 Mason Lord Drive, Kimmel Cancer Center, Kimmel Cancer Center, 
Baltimore, MD 
410-550-1711
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Offers Telehealth

Christine L Hann, completed her MD and Ph.D. at Jefferson Medical College/Thomas Jefferson University follwed by an internal medicine residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Following a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Hematology and Oncology, Dr. Hann joined the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center as a member of the Upper Aerodigestive Cancer Program and sees patients with non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. Dr. Hann's research focus is on developing novel therapeutics for lung cancer, particularly small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) such as carcinoid tumors of the lung. As a faculty member she is involved in both clinical and laboratory research. Specific research projects include: 1) Studying mechanisms of resistant to small molecule inhibitors of the antiapoptotic protein, BCL-2 using patient-derived xenograft models. Her preclinical work has led to an NCI-sponsored Phase 1/2 clinical trial combining a BCL-2 inhibitor with a TORC1/2 inhibitors which is currently underway (NCT03366103). 2) Preclinical evaluation of various therapeutics including epigenetic modulators (LSD1 inhibitors) and nanoliposome chemotherapy in SCLC PDXs; 3) Modeling and characterizing chemoradiotherapy resistance in preclinical models of SCLC. She, along with Dr. Luigi Marchionni in Biostatistics and Dr. Phuoc Tran in the Department of Radiation Oncology, were recently awarded a 5-year NCI-sponsored U01 grant to study mechanisms of chemoradiation resistance in SCLC. Dr. Hann is PI of several trials in SCLC and NSCLC and is leading investigator-initiated clinical trials in SCLC and NETs. Dr. Hann is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). She is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma. Dr. Hann is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.

Elite in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam
Oncology
Elite in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam
Oncology

Emory Winship Cancer Institute

1365 Clifton Road Northeast, BldgC, 
Atlanta, GA 
404-778-1900
Experience:
34+ years
Languages Spoken:
English, Tamil
See accepted insurances
Offers Telehealth

Suresh Ramalingam is an Oncologist practicing medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been practicing medicine for over 34 years. Dr. Ramalingam is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Lung Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Ramalingam is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2003.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More
Elite in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr. Neal E. Ready
Otolaryngology
Elite in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr. Neal E. Ready
Otolaryngology

Duke Cancer Center

20 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
919-681-6900
Experience:
40+ years
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Offers Telehealth

I am a medical oncologist and researcher who specializes in treating patients with lung cancer and head and neck cancer. I’ve been at Duke for eight years. I first realized I wanted to become a doctor in graduate school, because it gave me the opportunity to practically apply scientific evidence to help others. What I love most about my job is working with our research and clinical staff to come up with new and hopeful therapies for patients. When a patient comes to see me, I look at their past and current medical history, review their lab tests, and then work with a team to figure out which treatment would work best for them. If a patient comes from far away, we try to make sure we can fit in visits with all the relevant specialists before they leave. Outside of work, I enjoy exercising with friends and spending time with my children at their various activities. Dr. Ready is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Lung Adenocarcinoma. Dr. Ready is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine.

View All Doctors
What are the support groups for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
There are several online, local, national, and international support groups for small cell lung cancer, including the following: American Lung Association - https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/patients/find-support/support-groups CancerCare - https://www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/lung_cancer Smart Patients - https://www.smartpatients.com/forums/lung-cancer
What is the outlook (prognosis) for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
The outcomes (prognosis) for small cell lung cancer depend on the stage of the disease, how far the cancer has spread, and the patient’s overall health. Due to the rapid growth and spread (metastasis) of small cell lung cancer, the outcomes (prognosis) are poor, as the 5-year survival rate is only about 6%. However, the survival rate can be higher if small cell lung cancer is treated early. Small cell lung cancer frequently recurs after treatment.
What are the possible complications of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
Since small cell lung cancer frequently grows near the large blood vessels in the chest, such as the superior vena cava, these blood vessels can become blocked by a tumor, decreasing blood flow to the brain, one of which is called superior vena cava syndrome and is a medical emergency. Symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome include headache, bloated appearance of the head, red face, and bulging chest and neck veins.
When should I contact a medical professional for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
If you experience any symptoms of small cell lung cancer, such as loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, persistent or worsening coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath (dyspnea), hoarseness, chest discomfort or pain, pain in the shoulder or arm, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), or coughing up blood (hemoptysis), make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
How do I prevent Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
Since 90% of individuals with small cell lung cancer are either current or past smokers, quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke is the most effective way to decrease the risk of developing the disease. Individuals aged 55-to-80 years with a long-term history or smoking, or those who currently smoke, should undergo screening for lung cancer. Early detection and treatment of small cell lung cancer can increase the possibility of a cure, as nearly 25% of patients with this cancer can be cured with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
What are the latest Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Clinical Trials?
A Feasibility Phase I Study of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring-Based Atezolizumab Dosing
A Feasibility Phase I Study of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring-Based Atezolizumab Dosing
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: April 16, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1

Background: A type of drug called monoclonal antibody immune checkpoint inhibitors are often used in cancer treatment. These drugs help the body s immune system fight cancer by blocking proteins that cause cancer cells to grow. One of these drugs (atezolizumab) is approved to treat certain cancers. Researchers want to find out if lower doses of this drug might provide the same benefit with fewer adverse effec...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
Patient Preference for Subcutaneous vs. Intravenous Immune Therapy (PSI-Immune)
Patient Preference for Subcutaneous vs. Intravenous Immune Therapy (PSI-Immune)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: April 16, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: The study will evaluate patient and Health Care Professional- reported preference for Subcutaneous (SC) compared with IV nivolumab administration or similarly for SC compared with IV pembrolizumab.

View All Clinical Trials