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.

Profile picture for deekaysss @deekaysss

@margot69 mine was diagnosed as stage 4 metastatic extended (whatever THAT means) sclc 2 days before my 69th birthday. I've been in treatment nearly continuously for 2.5 years and I'm now 71. & a half, lol

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@deekaysss, thanks for sharing your story of hope! I’m sure it hasn’t been easy, it never is, but it’s nice to hear that you are living your life.
What type of treatment are you receiving? Did you have a surgery too?

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Profile picture for margot69 @margot69

Thank you. Wow, didn't know that could happen to the brain. Glad you are able to do treatments closer to home. Being in the Central Valley in Ca, the Bay Area is closest to us but can be hell commuting. I am not seeing anyone saying their's has spread. I have nodes and spots on my liver.

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@margot69 mine was diagnosed as stage 4 metastatic extended (whatever THAT means) sclc 2 days before my 69th birthday. I've been in treatment nearly continuously for 2.5 years and I'm now 71. & a half, lol

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Profile picture for marcval95 @marcval95

Received the Imdelltra treatment at Cleveland Clinic in December 2024, January, 2025, and the beginning of February with no positive results. CT scan showed my Cancer had spread significantly so treatment was terminated!!!

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@marcval95 , I'm wondering what your treatment plan was after the Imdelltra? And how you are doing?

@mimicmckay was recently diagnosed with small cell, and is starting Cisplatin + Etoposide soon.

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Profile picture for marcval95 @marcval95

Received the Imdelltra treatment at Cleveland Clinic in December 2024, January, 2025, and the beginning of February with no positive results. CT scan showed my Cancer had spread significantly so treatment was terminated!!!

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Praying you have better results!

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Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor @lls8000

Hi @kyfan73, Thanks for joining us. I did a quick search, and didn't find other posts regarding Tarlatamab (IMDELLTRA). That could be because it was US FDA approved for advanced SCLC just early last year (5/2024). It's a good sign that it was granted 'accelerated' approval, which means that research was showing strong promising results for the unmet need of SCLC.
I'm sure her doctors will monitor her very closely especially in the beginning. She's fortunate to have family like you that cares so much. It's not an easy position for any of you.
What type of facility is she being seen at; smaller, larger?

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Received the Imdelltra treatment at Cleveland Clinic in December 2024, January, 2025, and the beginning of February with no positive results. CT scan showed my Cancer had spread significantly so treatment was terminated!!!

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Profile picture for kyfan73 @kyfan73

I am a caregiver to my sister in law who has stage 4 SCLC any one heard of the immunotherapy drug Tarlatamab , she is supposed to get it on Thursday , I am worried because she is so weak

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Hi @kyfan73, Thanks for joining us. I did a quick search, and didn't find other posts regarding Tarlatamab (IMDELLTRA). That could be because it was US FDA approved for advanced SCLC just early last year (5/2024). It's a good sign that it was granted 'accelerated' approval, which means that research was showing strong promising results for the unmet need of SCLC.
I'm sure her doctors will monitor her very closely especially in the beginning. She's fortunate to have family like you that cares so much. It's not an easy position for any of you.
What type of facility is she being seen at; smaller, larger?

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I am a caregiver to my sister in law who has stage 4 SCLC any one heard of the immunotherapy drug Tarlatamab , she is supposed to get it on Thursday , I am worried because she is so weak

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Hello, my wife was diagnose with small cell lung cancer on 1/31/2025. She will start chemo and radiation next week. Her doctor has been very good taking the time to explaining the process and treatments and answering our questions. A PET scan and brain MRI only found the cancer in the lung and on a lump in her throat. We are hoping and praying for the best. The worry right now is the side effects of the treatments.

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Profile picture for margot69 @margot69

Happy you have joined, lady. I am Stage IV now with nodes and spots on my liver. Brain MRI was clear, so far. If the doctors had listened to me for months, maybe this would have been caught sooner. I haven't even seen an Oncologist yet! Praying we can all beat it. Were you sick from the treatments and where were you treated? Since this is a Mayo discussion board, I assume there.

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I was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma in my lung. Stage three. I got very sick from the chemo and dehydrated. In three months, was in the hospital four times. I didn’t have any problems with radiation until the end. Then it was really bad. Radiation burns to my thorax and stomach. It hurt to breathe, even swallowing water. After 11 days in the hospital, I’m still recovering at home. What has helped me the most are the THC=CBD gummies from a marijuana dispensary. They aren’t strong but helps with my pain, nausea and appetite.
Good luck and prayers.

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Is there anyone on here that was diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer, had chemo, and has had a good outcome?

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