An overview of lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer remains a devastating disease. A reduction in its impact will most likely come in the immediate future from smoking cessation programs. Because it is a rapidly growing disease, it seems unlikely that screening programs will have a significant impact on its curability. New chemotherapeutic agents with greater activity in this disease are desperately needed. Biologic agents such as the anti-idiotypic antibody BEC2 when combined with BCG may offer some hope to those with minimal residual disease after standard chemotherapy and radiation. Finally, an improved understanding of the biology of small cell cancer may ultimately provide the necessary clues to more effective treatment.