Overview
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), also known as oat cell carcinoma or small cell carcinoma of the lung, is an aggressive type of lung cancer that starts in the cells lining the airways of the lungs. It is called 'small cell' because the cancer cells look small under a microscope. Unlike other types of lung cancer, SCLC tends to grow and spread very quickly to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, brain, liver, bones, and adrenal glands. This fast-spreading nature means it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The most common symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. Some people also experience hoarseness, repeated lung infections, or swelling in the face and neck caused by pressure on nearby blood vessels. In some cases, SCLC can cause a group of problems called paraneoplastic syndromes, where the cancer triggers the immune system to accidentally attack the nervous system or other organs. Treatment usually involves a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Immunotherapy drugs, particularly atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and durvalumab (Imfinzi), have been approved by the FDA and are now used alongside chemotherapy for certain patients. Surgery is rarely an option because the cancer has usually spread by the time it is found. While treatment can shrink the cancer and improve quality of life, SCLC is very difficult to cure, and research into new therapies is ongoing.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Persistent or worsening coughCoughing up blood or rust-colored mucusChest pain or tightnessShortness of breathUnexplained weight lossExtreme tiredness or fatigueHoarse voiceSwelling of the face, neck, or armsRepeated chest infections or pneumoniaLoss of appetiteBone pain if cancer has spread to bonesHeadaches, confusion, or seizures if cancer has spread to the brainMuscle weakness or coordination problems due to paraneoplastic syndromesLow sodium levels causing confusion or nausea (a paraneoplastic effect)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
16 availableTaxol
in combination with cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy
IMFINZI
as a single agent, for the treatment of adult patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiati…
as a single agent, for the treatment of adult patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy
CYRAMZA
in combination with erlotinib, for first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) mutations
Enhertu
as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations and who have received a prior …
as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations and who have received a prior systemic therapy
Gilotrif
Treatment of patients with metastatic, squamous NSCLC progressing after platinum-based chemotherapy
Braftovi
in combination with binimetinib, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-authorized test
OPDIVO
adult patients with metastatic NSCLC and progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therap…
adult patients with metastatic NSCLC and progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO QVANTIG
Tagrisso
adjuvant therapy after tumor resection in adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations,…
adjuvant therapy after tumor resection in adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test
Abraxane
ABRAXANE is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surger…
ABRAXANE is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.
KRAZATI
As a single agent, for the treatment of adult patients with KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior systemic…
As a single agent, for the treatment of adult patients with KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior systemic therapy.
Imjudo
in combination with durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no sensitizing epidermal growth factor recept…
in combination with durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumor aberrations
KEYTRUDA
in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, as first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC
Yervoy
Treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer expressing PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, as first-line treatm…
Treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer expressing PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, as first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab
Zepzelca
in combination with atezolizumab or atezolizumab and hyaluronidase-tqjs, for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) whose disease has not pro…
in combination with atezolizumab or atezolizumab and hyaluronidase-tqjs, for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed after first-line induction therapy with atezolizumab or atezolizumab and hyaluronidase-tqjs, carboplatin and etoposide
Imdelltra
treatment of adult patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy
TECENTRIQ
TECENTRIQ�, in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC)
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Small cell lung cancer at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersResearch Site
📍 Los Angeles, California
👤 AstraZeneca Clinical Study Information Center
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
📍 Los Angeles, California
👤 Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
📍 Boston, Massachusetts
👤 Ann (Annie) W Silk
👤 Matthew Frigault, MD
Stanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
Financial Resources
12 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Small cell lung cancer.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Small cell lung cancer
4 articlesCaregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Should I have my tumor tested for specific genetic changes or biomarkers that might affect treatment?,Am I eligible for any clinical trials testing new treatments for SCLC?,What are the most likely side effects of the treatment plan you are recommending, and how will they be managed?,Should I have radiation to my brain to prevent the cancer from spreading there?,What signs or symptoms should prompt me to go to the emergency room right away?,What palliative care or supportive care services are available to help me manage symptoms and maintain quality of life?
Common questions about Small cell lung cancer
What is Small cell lung cancer?
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), also known as oat cell carcinoma or small cell carcinoma of the lung, is an aggressive type of lung cancer that starts in the cells lining the airways of the lungs. It is called 'small cell' because the cancer cells look small under a microscope. Unlike other types of lung cancer, SCLC tends to grow and spread very quickly to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, brain, liver, bones, and adrenal glands. This fast-spreading nature means it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The most common symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood
How is Small cell lung cancer inherited?
Small cell lung cancer follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Small cell lung cancer typically begin?
Typical onset of Small cell lung cancer is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Small cell lung cancer?
25 specialists and care centers treating Small cell lung cancer are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Small cell lung cancer?
10 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Small cell lung cancer. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.