Small Cell Lung Cancer: Let's connect

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Jan 12, 2019

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.

VLR: I am a non-smoker. The theory is that my SCLC was caused by radiation I had for breast cancer 31 years ago.

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@vlpr

I have sclc. Stage 3b limited. All nodes are involved although they did not find tumors elsewhere. It's my left lung so we are noting some heart damage from the chemo. My tumor is close to the throat so that area is being radiated. I'm getting pain upon swallowing. I have 2 more radiation treatments and 2 more chemo treatments. They will be offering me the brain radiation, although I think there are some concerns because of my age (almost 75). We haven't discussed the brain radiation, though right now I'm leaning towards not doing it. I will wait until I've heard the facts to make my decision. I hope that we both get an answer and that the person will indicate their age and why they did the brain radiation.
I'm wondering about your age. Thanks for the post. Blessings to you on this journey. VLR

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I am 76. Doctors keep saying that the PCI is a good next step

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@lady1lake

Even though I have been posting on another segment of this forum I would like to join in here since I have SCLC, stage 3b. I finished chemo/radiation at the end of Oct. I tire easily, but am able to manage light daily task. Thank goodness my sweet husband is keeping things running smoothly. I beat breast cancer & a recurrence years ago. Hoping & praying to beat this cancer too.

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I too have SCLC stage 3b. I am being treated at Mayo, Jacksonville. I've had 30 rounds of radiation (done twice a day and finished in 3 weeks). I'm glad that stage of treatment is over. My radiation doctor says I will continue to get adverse effects from radiation for a month. Then I should start getting better.My throat has narrowed, normal eating is difficult. Doc gave me a prescription for a throat numbing medicine. It really helps. I am drinking High calorie Boost to supplement my calories. I've had 2 rounds of Chemo and will have my 3rd round next week. I've been a bit anxious about the next 2 rounds - decided to stop that as it is ruining the good days I am having. One person on this site said to set an appointment to worry, be anxious, be mad etc. If those thoughts arise outside of the appointment time tell yourself that you have to wait until your appointment time. That thought has helped me. Let me know how you are doing. I was told this cancer was probably caused by the radiation for breast cancer I had 31 years ago. I am a white female; never smoked. I don't fit the pattern for SCLC. It is in my lymph nodes, but they have not found any tumors elsewhere.

Blessings and best of luck.

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In reply to @vlpr "PCI?" + (show)
@vlpr

Preventative radiation of brain

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@alcott

Preventative radiation of brain

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How do you feel about that? I still have that decision to face after my 2 remaining Chemo sessions. So far I've tolerated the 2 previous sessions ok. I'm a little concerned about the next 2 sessions (3 days each). Nothing to do but get on with them. Enjoy the days before.
VLPR

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@mustangdee64

I was diagnosed in July 2021 with limited small cell. 5cm tumor in left chest and three nodes. I went through standard treatment and have been NED since. This coming 15th will be a year since chemotherapy was completed. I am suffering some radiation side effects but mostly mental pain.

Just waiting for it to return and living in three month increments, scans and repeat. I lost my ability to work and basically my livelihood. Two adult children live with me they never left home. I supported everyone until I got sick.

There are three small children here, one is mentally disabled. I have been unable to find peace, let alone have a silent moment for a thought.

There’s no where else for them to go. I centered my life around them so I am spouse less and friend less. They have no one too.

Life really sucks now.

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Welcome, @mustangdee64. The emotional health related to cancer really sucks. There's no evidence of disease and everyone wants you to slip back into life as it once was. But things have changed - a lot.

Dee, there are others here who get that. I encourage you to follow the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer-managing-symptoms/

Here are few discussions you might want to check out:
- Life After Cancer: Do you feel prepared for it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-cancer/
- Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facing-cancer-recurrence-ptsd-acknowledging-mental-health/

You're not alone and this is a good place to share these feelings that are taboo elsewhere.

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Four months ago I felt great, able to go for long walks using my rolling walker. Then I had a routine lung CT scan because of my smoking history. Lo and behold- there was a mass lesion in my left lower lobe.A PET scan showed increase metabolic activity in the LLL lesion and an increased metabolism in a solitary hilar node. Two respected pulmonologists felt this represented “fungal flip-flop sign” and probably was not a cancerous lesion. Biopsy, however, was done and reported as SCLC. I have completed the four series of chemotherapy (carboplatin+ etoposide) and 33 sessions of radiation treatments. I now am home bound- too tired to do anything. What do I do for severe dyspnea with minimal exertion, numbness in both legs up to the knees.
Also have pain and tightness in both quadriceps and bilateral lumbosacral area. I now am two weeks post completion of treatment. When do I begin to feel better?? Is there anything I can do to treat the symptoms of “the treatment “? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Timothy T.

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@tymish17

Four months ago I felt great, able to go for long walks using my rolling walker. Then I had a routine lung CT scan because of my smoking history. Lo and behold- there was a mass lesion in my left lower lobe.A PET scan showed increase metabolic activity in the LLL lesion and an increased metabolism in a solitary hilar node. Two respected pulmonologists felt this represented “fungal flip-flop sign” and probably was not a cancerous lesion. Biopsy, however, was done and reported as SCLC. I have completed the four series of chemotherapy (carboplatin+ etoposide) and 33 sessions of radiation treatments. I now am home bound- too tired to do anything. What do I do for severe dyspnea with minimal exertion, numbness in both legs up to the knees.
Also have pain and tightness in both quadriceps and bilateral lumbosacral area. I now am two weeks post completion of treatment. When do I begin to feel better?? Is there anything I can do to treat the symptoms of “the treatment “? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Timothy T.

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I am a year out still having sob and fatigue. Talk to oncologist have them refer you to PT for pulmonary rehab. I am going to do this too. I try walk do a little then rest but I am nowhere near able to do what I could before

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@tymish17

Four months ago I felt great, able to go for long walks using my rolling walker. Then I had a routine lung CT scan because of my smoking history. Lo and behold- there was a mass lesion in my left lower lobe.A PET scan showed increase metabolic activity in the LLL lesion and an increased metabolism in a solitary hilar node. Two respected pulmonologists felt this represented “fungal flip-flop sign” and probably was not a cancerous lesion. Biopsy, however, was done and reported as SCLC. I have completed the four series of chemotherapy (carboplatin+ etoposide) and 33 sessions of radiation treatments. I now am home bound- too tired to do anything. What do I do for severe dyspnea with minimal exertion, numbness in both legs up to the knees.
Also have pain and tightness in both quadriceps and bilateral lumbosacral area. I now am two weeks post completion of treatment. When do I begin to feel better?? Is there anything I can do to treat the symptoms of “the treatment “? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Timothy T.

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Welcome, Timothy. I agree with @mustangdee64 that pulmonary rehab could be helpful for you. It sounds like your body has gone through a lot and that you are generally dealing with decreasing muscle tone. A physical therapist can help with that too.

It's only been 2 weeks since you completed treatment. Be kind to yourself. Again, I agree with Dee. Do a little more than what you do today and be sure to rest. For example, if you're able to walk around a short space (the living room, the driveway, the hallway, whatever), add a few steps each day. And accept the days, where you can't add a step and try again the next day.

There are several places where members have shared breathing exercises too. @merpreb has a few good videos she can point you to. Here's one from another member to get you started:
- Lung and Breathing Exercises by Donna Wilson, RRT https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lung-and-breathing-exercises-by-donna-wilson-rrt/

Timothy, Have you heard about chair yoga? I wonder if that would be an option for you.

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