Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Research

Background:

• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 15% of lung cancers, with extensive stage (ES-SCLC) comprising 60% of cases.
• Median survival for untreated and treated ES-SCLC is poor, ranging from 2-4 months and 8-13 months, respectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
• To identify prognostic factors influencing survival rates in ES-SCLC patients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 283 patients with ES-SCLC treated at a radiation oncology department between January 2010 and September 2019.
• Data collected included demographics, treatment details, toxicity, and follow-up information.

Main Results:

• The median overall survival (OS) was 7 months and progression-free survival (PFS) was 5 months.
• Multivariate analysis identified Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), hyponatremia, number of chemotherapy cycles, consolidative radiotherapy (RT), and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) as significant prognostic factors for OS and PFS.

Conclusions:

• The study findings on OS and PFS in ES-SCLC patients are comparable to other South Indian studies.
• ECOG PS, serum sodium levels, chemotherapy cycles, consolidative RT, and PCI are independent prognostic factors for ES-SCLC survival, aiding in personalized treatment strategies.