Small cell carcinoma of the lung. Treatment in the community

The results of nonprotocol treatment of 232 patients with small cell lung cancer seen by a group of community-based medical oncologists over a 13-year period were evaluated. Factors associated with improved survival also were assessed. The following patient characteristics significantly improved survival: limited stage of disease at diagnosis, treatment of extensive (but not limited) disease with regimens including etoposide and cisplatin, tumor resection, age younger than 70 years, radiation therapy to the chest, and female sex (extensive disease only). Comparison of the data from this study with published results of protocol studies showed similar outcomes.