What is Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?

Small Cell Lung Cancer is so called because the cancer cells are small, mostly filled with the nucleus. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) often spreads quite rapidly.

As the name suggests, these cancer cells are small, with the cell-nucleus accounting for the majority of its size.

These cells often multiply quickly and form large tumors that are known to spread to the lymph nodes and other organs.

Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 20% of all lung cancers. It is also sometimes known as Oat Cell Cancer or Small Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma.

What Causes Small Cell Lung Cancer?

The most common cause of small cell lung cancer is smoking. It is not very common for non-smokers to develop this type of lung cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Small Cell Lung Cancer:

Small cell lung cancer patients usually complain of coughing that does not improve, persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, hoarseness, loss of appetite, swelling of the face and neck, traces of blood in cough, unexplained weight loss, and wheezing.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options:

Currently, there is no treatment available that guarantees complete cure for small cell lung cancer. Most presently available treatment options are designed to curb or contain the cancer growth, and to improve quality of life.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Prognosis:

Prognosis of small cell lung cancer patients often depends upon many factors including patients' overall health, age, other health complications, the treatment options available, the patient’s gender, The stage of the small cell lung cancer (growth and spread of lung cancer), and the blood level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Additional information available on: Lung Cancer Causes, Lung Cancer Risk Factors, Lung Cancer Early Signs, Lung Cancer Symptoms, Lung Cancer Early Diagnosis, Staging of Lung Cancer Tumors, Lung Cancer Treatment, Lung Cancer Vaccine, Lung Cancer Prognosis, Small Cell Lung Cancer, - SCLC, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - NSCLC, Mixed Small Cell/Large Cell Lung Cancer, Asbestos, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure, Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Symptoms, Mesothelioma Treatment, Mesothelioma Drugs, Mesothelioma Surgery, Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Drugs, and Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy.

Visit our Lung Disease reference page for additional information on various lung related health issues. Also check out cancer news for the latest Small Cell Carcinoma Treatment News, and Lung Cancer Articles Library for additional SCLC Carcinoma Related Articles.

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