Overview
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of Lung Cancer, sometimes called Oat Cell Cancer, in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung and spread quickly.
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- Extensive Stage SCLC Lung Cancer
Overview
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Extensive Stage SCLC means that the tumor has affected both lungs or any other organ in your body, making it difficult to be treated with surgery or radiotherapy.
What Tests Will I Need and Why?
Blood and Imaging tests are done to understand your general health, confirm your diagnosis and determine your cancer stage.
Tissue analysis is also typically done to identify the cancer cell type, which is critical to finding the best treatment option for you.
If your treatment team has not already performed tests to determine your cancer’s features, please ask your doctor when these tests will be performed.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
National Institute of Health/ treatment-lung
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Commonly Searched Questions
Extensive Stage Lung Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of Extensive Stage lung cancer depend on the organ that is affected as the lung cancer can spread to any part of the body.
These are some common symptoms you might experience if you have Extensive Stage lung cancer;
- Breathlessness
- Chronic cough
- Feeling weak
- Coughing up blood
- Noisy breathing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Paraneoplastic syndrome
- Horner’s Syndrome(drooping of the eyelid and absence of sweating on one side of the face)
These are symptoms related to the spread of your lung cancer to other parts of your body;
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin due to the spread to the liver
- Superior vena cava syndrome causes swelling of the face and upper part of the body due to obstruction from the tumor
Source: Cancer.org
Extensive Stage Lung Cancer Treatment
These are some common treatment options that are available for your Extensive Stage lung cancer:
- Chemotherapy
- Therapy that targets receptors in the lungs such as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be done. Other mutations such as ALK, BRAF, MET, NTRK, RET and ROS-1 have specific targeted therapy that deals with the mutation.
- Immunotherapy helps a person’s immunity identify and kill lung cancer. It can be done with or without chemotherapy.
- Radiotherapy
Now Click Here To Compare Your Latest Treatment Options.
Source: Cancer.org
Extensive Stage lung Cancer Survival Rate
According to SEER data, Extensive Stage lung cancer falls into the distant Stage with a survival rate of 6.3%. This means that people with Extensive Stage lung cancer are 6.3% as likely as people without lung cancer to live for 5 years after the diagnosis.
These numbers do not take into account recurrence (cancer coming back) and newer data so they should be used with caution.
Source: Cancer.gov
Extensive Stage Lung Cancer Definition
Extensive stage lung cancer refers to a stage where the cancer has spread widely throughout the lung or to distant parts of the body, such as other organs like the liver, bones, or brain. This stage, also known as advanced or metastatic lung cancer, indicates that the cancer has typically spread beyond the primary tumor site in the lung to multiple areas via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Source: Cancer.org
Extensive Stage Lung Cancer Prevention
There are no specific prevention strategies for Extensive Stage Lung Cancer, as this stage represents advanced cancer that has spread beyond the lungs. However, general strategies to help reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, including extensive stage, include:
- Avoid Smoking: The most effective way to prevent lung cancer is to never smoke. If you currently smoke, quitting significantly reduces your risk.
- Avoid Secondhand Smoke: Minimize exposure to secondhand smoke to decrease risk.
- Reduce Exposure to Carcinogens: Limit exposure to known carcinogens such as asbestos and radon. Ensure proper ventilation and use protective equipment if you work with hazardous substances.
- Healthy Diet: Maintain a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to support overall lung health.
- Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to support overall health.
- Regular Screenings: For individuals at high risk (e.g., heavy smokers or those with a family history of lung cancer), consider regular screenings with low-dose CT scans to detect lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Source: Cancer.org
Extensive Stage Lung Cancer Recurrence Rate
The estimated recurrence rate of Extensive Stage lung cancer is 70%. However, this value may change according to different locations, your overall health and genetics. It is important to ask your healthcare provider for more information.
Source: Cancer.org
