[Small cell carcinoma of the lung (author's transl)]

Of the various types of bronchogenic carcinoma small cell carcinoma has the poorest prognosis. It is the most malignant of the histological subtypes of lung cancer owing to its rapid growth and early, widespread metastases. Small cell carcinomas are radiosensitive and respond to cytotoxic therapy. In the Second Surgical Department of the Vienna University Hospital, 70 "early-stage" small cell carcinomas were resected between 1955 and 1974. 27.5% of the patients with stage I and II carcinomas survived for more than 5 years without symptoms. "Curative" surgery is selected cases leads to prolonged survival in patients with localized lesions.