Small Cell Lung Cancer: Let's connect
Most of the discussions about lung cancer has been about Non-small cell lung cancers. There are many sub-types of this that are included. But there is another type of lung cancer that needs to be discussed and that is Small Cell Lung Cancer. This aggressive form of lung cancer most commonly occurs in smokers. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) and grows very quickly, creating large tumors and spreading (metastasizing) throughout the body.
Symptoms include bloody phlegm, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Treatment includes surgery (for small tumors) as well as chemotherapy, sometimes in combination with radiation therapy.
Lung cancers cells are sometimes classified by where they tend to grow.
There have been huge breakthroughs in lung cancer research of late.
Please join @margot69 and I in this new disussion.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.
@sksnow, the chat with other members with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is still active. Let me call in the members like @joe6767 @spikeb1 @tymish17 @alcott @daisy9460 @vlpr @mustangdee64 @bonsai799, who have experience with SCLC.
@sksnow, while we wait for others to join in, I'd like to hear more about you. When were you diagnosed with SCLC? What treatments have you had and/or are currently having? How are you doing? What brings you joy?
I don’t have experience with SCLC, I have NSCLC.
I was diagnosed SCLC in Nov 23. Ever since that day my life has been a whirlwind of tests, appointments, treatments, etc. So far I’ve had one round of chemo, second was delayed because of low blood counts. I’ve had 7 radiation treatments so far, 23 to go. So far so good 😊. My kids and my grandkids are my joy. And my hubby 😊
Hi @sksnow, I believe there are other SCLC patients milling about on Connect. I hope you are able to continue the chemo treatments soon and are able to settle into your new unfortunate routine for a bit. Keep an eye out for side effects and don't be shy about communicating any issues with your team. It's great that you have good family support, that can be a life saver.
I didn’t know that there was one. It’s so rare maybe that’s why.
Hello! My name is Dee. I was diagnosed with small cell December 2021. I know exactly what you are going through. There aren’t many of us. Such a rare lung cancer most attention is given to non small. Praying for successful treatment and recovery!
Hi Dee, I was diagnosed this past April with small cell carcinoma. Would love to hear what has helped you.
Hi Dee, I was diagnosed with SCLC this past April. Would love to hear about your experience.
Hello @mitchmurphy7, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm glad that you've found us. I hope that you've held up ok over the past 3 months. The early days of this journey are not for the faint of heart. I'm a non-small cell adenocarcinoma patient (4 years).
What treatments have you been receiving, chemo, radiation? Is immunotherapy an option for you?
I took Tabrecta and had some serious side effects from it , I have neuropathy and the swelling it caused almost stopped me from walking , I had to go off of it. I am on nothing now.