Small cell lung cancer (staging) (historical)

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 24 Jan 2024

Previously, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was not staged in the same manner as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but since 2013 both are staged using the IASLC (International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer) lung cancer staging system

The idea behind a different staging system for SCLC was on account of it being almost never resectable at the time of diagnosis, except in rare cases where it appears as a solitary pulmonary nodule. The staging was performed dividing the tumors as such: 

  • limited

    • disease confined to one hemithorax

    • inclusive of hilar/supraclavicular lymph nodes

    • patients were suitable for radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy

  • extensive

    • disease extends beyond one hemithorax

    • patients received only chemotherapy

    • accounted for 70% of cases

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