INTRODUCTION: Extra-pulmonary small cell carcinoma (ESCC) is as a pathologic entity distinct from small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). ESCC is considered a systemic disease in its origin, so the therapeutic approach is similar to SCLC with chemotherapy being considered in case of extensive and local disease. We present a retrospective comparison of ESCC and SCLC in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the tumour registry database of Hospital Universitario La Fe we reviewed 24 ESCC cases receiving attention between 1987 and 2003, and these were compared with a series of 341 patients with SCLC in the same institution. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients with ESCC 19 were men and 5 were women with an average age of 58 years (range 23 to 85). The most frequent site was the mediastinum with 58% having extensive disease. All patients but one received treatment. The therapeutic approaches were local and systemic in 13 patients, systemic alone in 6 and local alone in 4. Schedules based on platinum and etoposide were used. The median follow-up was 53 months (range 4 to 211). Median survival was 18.9 months; 30 in patients with local disease and 8 in those with extensive disease. In the SCLC series of patients, there were 336 men and 5 women; 62% having extensive disease. The median survival was 10 months; 12 months in those patients with local disease and 8 in those with extensive disease. CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival of patients with ESCC was slightly better than patients with SCLC. ESCC with local disease had a better survival outcome than SCLC with local disease. Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of the treatment, but sometimes local treatment could be sufficient.
INTRODUCTION:Extra-pulmonary small cell carcinoma (ESCC) is as a pathologic entity distinct from small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). ESCC is considered a systemic disease in its origin, so the therapeutic approach is similar to SCLC with chemotherapy being considered in case of extensive and local disease. We present a retrospective comparison of ESCC and SCLC in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the tumour registry database of Hospital Universitario La Fe we reviewed 24 ESCC cases receiving attention between 1987 and 2003, and these were compared with a series of 341 patients with SCLC in the same institution. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients with ESCC 19 were men and 5 were women with an average age of 58 years (range 23 to 85). The most frequent site was the mediastinum with 58% having extensive disease. All patients but one received treatment. The therapeutic approaches were local and systemic in 13 patients, systemic alone in 6 and local alone in 4. Schedules based on platinum and etoposide were used. The median follow-up was 53 months (range 4 to 211). Median survival was 18.9 months; 30 in patients with local disease and 8 in those with extensive disease. In the SCLC series of patients, there were 336 men and 5 women; 62% having extensive disease. The median survival was 10 months; 12 months in those patients with local disease and 8 in those with extensive disease. CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival of patients with ESCC was slightly better than patients with SCLC. ESCC with local disease had a better survival outcome than SCLC with local disease. Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of the treatment, but sometimes local treatment could be sufficient.
Authors: I Maestu; M Pastor; J Gómez-Codina; J Aparicio; A Oltra; C Herranz; J Montalar; B Munárriz; G Reynés Journal: Ann Oncol Date: 1997-06 Impact factor: 32.976
Authors: A Santoro; H S Parra; P Bidoli; M Angelidou; I Cataldo; P Salvini; P Valagussa; F Milani; G Ravasi; G Bonadonna Journal: Semin Oncol Date: 1995-02 Impact factor: 4.929
Authors: R M Levenson; D C Ihde; M J Matthews; M H Cohen; A F Gazdar; P A Bunn; J D Minna Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 1981-09 Impact factor: 13.506