One Page Notes – Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Definition
• Aggressive neuroendocrine lung tumor
• Strongest association with smoking
• Usually central (near the hilum)
Key Features
• Cough, hemoptysis, weight loss
• Early metastasis (brain, liver, bone)
• SVC syndrome, hoarseness, Horner syndrome
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
• SIADH → hyponatremia
• Ectopic ACTH → Cushing syndrome
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Diagnosis
• CXR/CT: Central hilar mass
• Biopsy: Small blue cells with nuclear molding
• Positive neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin, synaptophysin)
Treatment
• Chemotherapy (cisplatin/carboplatin + etoposide)
• Radiotherapy
• Prophylactic cranial irradiation
Memory Trick
SCLC = Small, Central, Smoker, Spreads fast
