[Toward optimization of small cell lung cancer management]

Small cell carcinoma represents 20 to 25 % of all lung cancers. It is characterized by his quickly dissemination. Chemotherapy is the comer stone of small cell lung cancer therapy. However, therapeutic approach are depending on patient's performans states and the disease's extension. The role of radiotherapy is established in the treatment of limited disease. However irradiation's modalities are still discussed. Surgery, usually, contraindicated is, actually, possible in early stages (T1T2N0). Recent advances in molecular biology have created new molecular targeted therapies for SCC but the benefits are not still evaluated. In this article, we review briefly classic strategies that have been evaluated in the management of patients with small cell carcinoma. This review will, also, focus in the main novel cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy's modalities and for their clinical implication.