Combined SCLC Clinical and Pathologic Characteristics

The incidence and overall clinical course of combined small-cell lung cancer (C-SCLC), a disease with both components of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clear. We describe our experience with 22 patients with C-SCLC. C-SCLC occurs in 5% of SCLCs and frequently presents with early stage disease and is potentially curable. Introduction: Despite the well characterized clinical course of 'pure' SCLC, there have not been many data on combined SCLC, ie, tumors, which contain both small-cell and non small-cell components. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 1628 consecutive cases of lung cancer (1200 NSCLC, 428 SCLC) at our institution over the past decade. We identified 22 patients with C-SCLC. The pathologic and clinical characteristics of these patients were reviewed. Survival analysis was performed and prognostic factors were assessed. These data were compared with the results obtained from our 406 pure SCLC patients who presented during the same time period. Results: The most common pathology was combined small-cell and large-cell with 16 cases followed by combined small- and squamous-cell carcinoma (3 cases), 2 cases of small-cell and nonspecified NSCLC, and 1 case of small cell and adenocarcinoma. Overall survival was significantly higher in C-SCLC patients compared with pure SCLC (median 15 vs. 10.8 months; P = .035). Surgery was significantly more common in this group of patients (45% vs. 3% in the pure small cell group; P < .0001). No difference in overall survival was observed in patients with C-SCLC and patients with pure SCLC, that did not receive surgery (P = .64). Conclusion: Patients with combined SCLC carry a better prognosis than those with pure small-cell variety and are more likely to undergo surgery. Clinical Lung Cancer, Vol. 14, No. 2, 113-9 (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.