Open AccessCombined small‐cell lung carcinoma: An institutional experience
Author(s) -
Wallace Audrey S.,
Arya Monika,
Frazier Shellaine R.,
Westgate Steven,
Wang Zhenyu,
Doll Donald
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
thoracic cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1759-7714
pISSN - 1759-7706
DOI - 10.1111/1759-7714.12059
Subject(s) - medicine , adenocarcinoma , stage (stratigraphy) , radiation therapy , small cell carcinoma , lung cancer , carcinoma , cancer , chemotherapy , survival analysis , performance status , survival rate , prophylactic cranial irradiation , oncology , paleontology , myocardial infarction , conventional pci , biology
Background The purpose of this study is to determine prognostic factors and survival in patients who present with combined small‐cell lung cancer ( SCLC ). Methods A retrospective review of combined SCLC histology in patients treated between1995–2010 was undertaken. Demographics, diagnostic information, disease characteristics, treatment modality, and survival were captured. Survival estimates were performed using K aplan M eier analysis. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results Forty‐one patients were identified, and 35 records were available for analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 68 (range 50–85). The study included 20 (57%) women and 15 (43%) men; and 94% had a current or former history of smoking. Histology was SCLC /large cell carcinoma not otherwise specified in 28 (80%), and SCLC /adenocarcinoma or SCLC /squamous cell carcinoma in seven (20%). Cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities were present in 80% of patients, and 24 patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Twenty‐eight patients received treatment of chemotherapy (n = 24), cranial radiotherapy (n = 5), or thoracic radiotherapy (n = 7). Staging was as follows: stage I ‐ III (n = 11), stage IV (n = 24). Median survival was 15.4 months (range <1–53 months) and 3.4 months (range <1–21.9 months) for A merican J oint C ommittee on C ancer ( AJCC ) stage I ‐ III and stage IV, respectively. Estimated overall six and 12 month survival was 82%, 55%, 37%, and 17% for stage I ‐ III and stage IV, respectively. An improved overall survival rate was found for patients with an E astern C ooperative O ncology G roup performance status of <2, and no weight loss (P < 0.05). Conclusion Akin to SCLC , advanced stage combined SCLC portends a poor prognosis. Perhaps novel chemotherapeutic drugs or targeted agents may improve outcomes for future patient populations.