- 10-15% of lung cancer
- More chemo responsive than non-small cell
- Most common RF is tobacco smoking
- Other Rfs include asbestos exposure, environmental smoke, ionizing radiation, radon, marijuana/hookah
- Tends to be more rapidly progressive than NSCLC (marked mediastinal adenopathy)
- Progressive cough, SOB, DOE (can evolve rapidly over weeks)
- Back/boney pain, neurological deficits/head ache/confusion--> mets to bone, brain, spine/cord, or metabolic derangements (e.g. hypercalcemia)
- Para-neoplastic syndrome more common w/SCLC: Cushings (increase cortisol via ACTH), SIADH (hyponatremia), NMJ antibodies (Eaton-Lambert), other
- Facial fullness, confusion, throat discomfort w/SVC syndrome
- Wheezing or stridor (based on anatomic location)
- Bronchial breath sounds if consolidation
- Decreased breath sounds and dullness if effusion
- Pain over site of a boney met
- Neuro deficits if mets