Small cell lung cancer: Where do we go from here?

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease that accounts for approximately 14% of all lung cancers. In the United States, approximately 31,000 patients are diagnosed annually with SCLC. Despite numerous clinical trials, including at least 40 phase 3 trials since the 1970s, systemic treatment for patients with SCLC has not changed significantly in the past several decades. Consequently, the 5‐year survival rate remains low at Cancer 2015;121:664–672. © 2014 American Cancer Society.