In a nutshell
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reviewed guidelines for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), developed by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).
Some background
Guidelines for the treatment of SCLC were established by ACCP in 2013. Based on scientific evidence, a panel of experts put together the set of guidelines. These guidelines and recommendations were than reviewed by ASCO to determine their accuracy.
Methods & findings
To review these recommendations, ASCO did a meta-analysis on current literature available on the treatment of SCLC. ASCO then released updates to the recommendations.
The guidelines suggest that for patients with stage 1 SCLC, surgery should be performed. Patients with limited disease (cancer in one part of the lung and nearby lymph nodes) should be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation should be administered early in the course. Chemotherapy should include 4 cycles of cisplatin (Platinol) or carboplatin (Paraplatin), plus etoposide (Etopophos). Extensive disease (cancer that has spread to other regions) should be treated with chemotherapy.
To try to prevent cancer spreading to the brain, cranial irradiation is preferred in patients with limited disease who have responded to previous treatment. It may also be beneficial for patients with extensive disease who have responded to previous treatment.
The bottom line
ASCO approved the ACCP guidelines and added additional recommendations based on updated research.
Published By :
Journal of clinical oncology
Date :
Sep 08, 2015
