Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
11:15
Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors
Published on: September 20, 2016
25.2K
Small cell lung cancer in never-smokers
María Torres-Durán1, Alberto Ruano-Ravina2, Karl T Kelsey3
1Service of Pneumology, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain.
The European Respiratory Journal
|December 25, 2015
Summary
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in never-smokers is aggressive and rare, with poor survival rates even for limited disease. Higher residential radon exposure was noted in this case series.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is typically associated with smoking, but occurs in never-smokers.
- Characteristics and outcomes of SCLC in never-smokers are not well-defined.
- This study describes a case series of never-smoker SCLC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize never-smoker small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cases.
- To analyze survival and epidemiological factors in this population.
- To investigate potential environmental risk factors like residential radon.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicenter case-control study in Spain.
- Inclusion of 19 never-smoker SCLC patients over 30 years old.
- Collection of clinical, epidemiological, and residential radon concentration data.
Main Results:
- The case series comprised 19 never-smoker SCLC patients (94.7% female, median age 75 years).
- Median residential radon concentration was 195 Bq·m⁻³, exceeding WHO recommendations.
- Median survival was 242 days, with significantly better outcomes for limited vs. extended disease.
Conclusions:
- SCLC in never-smokers is infrequent, aggressive, and associated with poor survival.
- Age at diagnosis for SCLC in never-smokers is higher than for adenocarcinoma in this group.
- Elevated residential radon exposure may be a contributing factor in never-smoker SCLC.
