Small Cell Cancer Staging

While it is recommended that Small cell bronchogenic carcinoma be staged it is also recognized that accurate T-N-M classification of these tumors is sometimes extremely difficult. The group staging recommended for Non-small cell carcinoma Lung seems to have little bearing to Small cell cancer in regards to prognostic implications and therapeutic planning. A different group staging is used for Small cell carcinoma which seems to separate group of patients with a different prognosis and therapeutic regimen.

Small cell carcinoma is group staged to: Limited and Extensive.

The staging procedures indicated are CT of the brain, radionuclide scans of the liver and the skeleton, and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Results of these procedures, plus the clinical manifestations of the cancer, help decide whether the cancer is "limited" or "extensive".

Limited refers to disease restricted to the thorax and could be covered by a single port of radiation therapy. If it cannot be covered by a single port of radiation therapy, then it is extensive.