Abstract
There have been significant advances in the treatment of small cell lung cancer during the past two decades. Systemic chemotherapy for extensive disease and combined modality therapy for limited small cell lung cancer has improved both quality and quantity of survival. In extensive disease, although the median survival time is improved with chemotherapy, only rarely is a patient cured. However, in limited disease, over 50% of the patients will achieve a complete remission and the 5-year survival is approximately 20%. There has been significant controversy concerning the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation, especially in patients with limited small cell lung cancer who achieve a complete remission. This article addresses the currently available data concerning benefit, toxicity, and results from randomized clinical trials using prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with small cell lung cancer.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
