Thoracic Surgery in Early-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a complex history and remains difficult to treat. Most patients with SCLC present with metastases or extensive stage disease, rendering most not amenable to surgical resection. Until recently, chemoradiotherapy had become the standard of care for all patients with SCLC. However, recent studies have shown improved survival following surgical resection with chemotherapy in patients with early-stage SCLC, specifically those with stage I disease. This article presents the literature on treatment of early-stage SCLC and addresses the question of whether surgery should be considered a viable treatment modality.