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.

vlpr | @vlpr | Oct 11, 2022

In reply to @alcott "I am 76. Doctors keep saying that the PCI is a good next step" + (show)

PCI?

vlpr | @vlpr | Oct 11, 2022

In reply to @lady1lake "Even though I have been posting on another segment of this forum I would like to..." + (show)

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.

alcott | @alcott | Oct 8, 2022

In reply to @vlpr "I have sclc. Stage 3b limited. All nodes are involved although they did not find tumors..." + (show)

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

vlpr | @vlpr | Oct 7, 2022

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

vlpr | @vlpr | Oct 7, 2022

In reply to @alcott "I had chemo and radiation for small cell limited lung cancer It is gone and now..." + (show)

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

toenailbiter | @toenailbiter | Oct 7, 2022

In reply to @mustangdee64 "I was diagnosed in July 2021 with limited small cell. 5cm tumor in left chest and..." + (show)

Please try to take care of yourself! Also try to see the love you have for your grand children and others in your home.You are needed and surely loved by little ones!if possible get out of house occasionally for a walk.best of luck on your treatment!

mustangdee64 | @mustangdee64 | Oct 6, 2022

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.

alcott | @alcott | Oct 5, 2022

I had chemo and radiation for small cell limited lung cancer
It is gone and now facing 2 weeks of preventative brain radiation. Anyone else had this radiation?

vlpr | @vlpr | Sep 30, 2022

In reply to @merpreb "Hello- Are you taking daily anti-nausea medication? I had to because of cisplatin. That is some..." + (show)

I am fluid restricted which makes it tough. Only 17oz on chemo days. 34oz on non-chemo days. I'm hopeful this restriction will be removed and soon. Anti-nausea drugs are added by iv to my chemo. Those are supposed to last 3 -4 days. I have pills which I have not started yet. PCP (Prochlorperazine 10mg. every 6 hours and Lorazepam .5mg once daily) The pharmacist said Lorazepam would cause drowsiness, does not actually help with nausea, but calms nervous system down. After her visit, I thought I'd just not use Lorazepam. I believe Lorazepam is the same class as Zofram. How often did you take Zofram? You said it helped? Did you take other drugs for nausea? If so I'd love to hear how you used them. Did you find that exercise helped? At least mild exercise?
I've just started my second round of chemo. Day 1 is done. Today is Chemo 2 & plus radiation, tomorrow is day 3, no radiation. The radiation worries me the most, although I do trust the doctor. Thank you for your input on the nausea drugs. VLR

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 30, 2022

In reply to @vlpr "I have just started my second round of chemo. Cisplatin and Etoposide. My treatment yesterday was..." + (show)

Hello- Are you taking daily anti-nausea medication? I had to because of cisplatin. That is some tough stuff and I don't think that I could have completed my course of treatment without Zofran.

I laud you for sticking with an eating program. Plenty of water (I timed mine a glass every hour and a half while I was awake. It really helped get the poisons flushed!

Have you been prescribed meds for any discomfort?