Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

A PET-CT scan combines 2 types of scan. A CT takes a series of x-rays to build up a 3D picture. A PET measures the activity of cells in the body.

During a biopsy, a doctor or nurse takes samples of cells or tissue from the abnormal area. They look at the biopsy samples under a microscope to check for cancer cells. You usually have a biopsy to find out for certain if you have lung cancer. There are different ways of collecting biopsies, including:

• bronchoscopy biopsy
• CT scan and biopsy
• lung needle biopsy
• EBUS and biopsy
• EUS and biopsy
• neck lymph node biopsy.

A mediastinoscopy is sometimes done instead of an EBUS or EUS. It lets the doctor look at the area in the middle of your chest (the mediastinum) and nearby lymph nodes. You have it under a general anaesthetic. 

A thoracoscopy lets the doctor look at the lining of the lungs (pleura). It is usually done under a general anaesthetic.

An MRI scan uses magnetism to build up a detailed picture of areas of your body. 

If your treatment plan involves having surgery or radiotherapy your doctor will arrange breathing tests (lung-function tests) and exercise tests.

These help doctors see how well your lungs are working. You may also have tests to check how well your heart is working.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for small cell lung cancer. (SCLC). When it is given with radiotherapy this is called chemoradiation.

Radiotherapy may be given before, during or after chemotherapy to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC). It may be used to control symptoms if the cancer is more advanced or has spread. It may also be given to the head to stop any lung cancer cells that have spread growing into a secondary cancer in the brain. This is called prophylactic cranial radiotherapy.

Surgery is rarely used to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) unless the cancer is small and has not spread outside the lung.

Immunotherapy is rarely used to treat SCLC but it may sometimes be given with chemotherapy.

Tumour ablation treatments use heat or laser light to treat very early-stage lung cancers. Ablation treatment can also be used if the cancer is blocking an airway.

You can have treatments to help relieve any symptoms caused by the cancer. This is sometimes called supportive care or palliative care.

Below is a sample of the sources used in our lung cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at  cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Lung cancer – Diagnosis and management. Clinical guideline 2019.

Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. 2018.

European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Early and locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. 2017.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Dr David Gilligan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist.

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