Prognostic Factors and Treatment of Early-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer

Background/Aim: Only 0.1-0.17% of all lung cancer patients are diagnosed with stage I or II small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Radiochemotherapy remains the standard treatment for limited stage disease. This study focused on prognostic factors in early stage SCLC treated with radiochemotherapy. Patients and Methods: Seven factors in eight patients with early stage SCLC were analyzed concerning the impact on overall survival, namely gender, age, Karnofsky performance score, N-category, UICC-stage, concurrent chemotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). Results: Median overall survival was 46 months. On univariate analysis, UICC stage I (48 vs. 24 months, p=0.022) and PCI (48 vs. 20 months, p=0.004) were significantly associated with improved overall survival. On multivariate analysis, PCI was an independent positive prognostic factor (p<0.001). Conclusion: UICC stage and PCI were identified as significant predictors of survival in early stage SCLC. PCI qualified as an independent positive prognostic factor and should be administered in early-stage SCLC.