Outcome of surgery for small cell lung cancer -- response to induction chemotherapy predicts survival
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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2017
1Department of Respiratory Surgery, International University of Health and Welfare Atami Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan. h.nakamura@iuhw.ac.jp
Background:
The role of surgery for local control of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is controversial.
Methods:
Sixty-nine consecutive patients who underwent complete resection of SCLC in our hospital were reviewed. The patients included 62 men and 7 women. Clinical stage at the time of diagnosis was c-stages IA and B in 29, c-stages IIA and B in 12, c-stage IIIA in 21, and c-stage IIIB in 7.
Results:
Thirty-two patients received induction chemotherapy, and 37 patients underwent initial surgery. The overall response rate to induction chemotherapy was 71.9 %. The survival rate stratified by clinical stage at the time of diagnosis was 48.9 % for c-stage I, 33.3 % for c-stage II, 20.2 % for c-stage IIIA, and 0 % for c-stage IIIB. Downstaging after induction chemotherapy conferred a survival benefit. Survival after lobectomy or bilobectomy was better than after pneumonectomy. Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy survived longer than patients who did not.
Conclusions:
Surgery combined with chemotherapy is a therapeutic option in selected patients with SCLC. Pathologic nodal status and response to induction chemotherapy are predictors of survival.
