OncoTargets and Therapy (Jun 2018)
Combined small-cell lung carcinoma
Abstract
Jing Qin,1,2 Hongyang Lu1,2 1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis & Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Esophagus), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Currently, studies assessing combined small-cell lung carcinoma (C-SCLC) are relatively scarce and limited. Indeed the clinicopathological features, treatment, and prognosis of patients with C-SCLC have not been fully determined. The incidence of C-SCLC ranges from 5%–28% in different studies, which is related to the specimen types used. The clinical features of C-SCLC are characterized by the higher proportion of peripheral locations, earlier stage, and more opportunity to experience surgery. Surgery is more important for earlier stage C-SCLC. There have been no recent changes in the chemotherapy of C-SCLC, which is recommended by the treatment guidelines for SCLC, neither showing survival benefit from the 3-agent regimen. Meanwhile, the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in EGFR-mutated C-SCLC patients remains inconclusive. This review focuses on clinical and pathologic features, prognostic factors, and optimized treatment model in C-SCLC. Keywords: C-SCLC, clinical, pathologic, molecular features, treatment, prognosis
