Small cell carcinoma of the lung

Over a 5-year period 230 cases of small cell carcinoma presented to Brompton Hospital, London. The male to female ratio was 2.5:1 and 39% had evidence of extrathoracic disease. Forty-five patients were untreated and had a median survival of 70 days. The 5-year survival for surgery and radiotherapy was 6.6% and 4.2% respectively. Of 13 patients treated with chemotherapy the median survival was 285 days. The factors which influence survival are described.