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The Role of Radiotherapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Revisit

  • Lung Cancer (T Mekhail, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Small cell lung cancer is staged as either limited (potentially curable) or extensive (incurable), based on the extent of disease in the chest. Limited stage disease is treated with concurrent chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy followed by prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). The conventional approach to extensive disease is chemotherapy only, with radiotherapy reserved for site-specific palliation. Recent reports suggest increasing applications for radiotherapy. The administration of PCI to extensive stage patients demonstrating response to chemotherapy is now recommended due to local control and overall survival benefits. Likewise, the role of consolidation chest radiotherapy after chemotherapy for advanced disease patients has seen a resurgence of interest in light of a recent publication suggesting improved local benefits which may influence survival. Recent technical advances in radiotherapy such as stereotactic body treatment and intensity-modulated therapy may also provide new indications for radiation, to enhance delivery and minimize toxicities.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Conflict of Interest

Gregory M. M. Videtic declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Mailroom T28, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Gregory M. M. Videtic

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Correspondence to Gregory M. M. Videtic.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Lung Cancer

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Videtic, G.M.M. The Role of Radiotherapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Revisit. Curr Oncol Rep 17, 37 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-015-0458-9

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