Small Cell Cancer

Small cell cancer is one of the scarier forms of lungSmall cell cancers are especially prone to cancer
cancer. There isn't any kind of lung cancer that isn'ttreatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
scary, as they are all more often terminal than not,If it is found in the limited stage, small cell cancer can
however small cell cancer tends to be the mostbe held at bay for a long time using these therapies.
aggressive. Most people with small cell cancer will dieUnfortunately, the likelihood of remission and
in 2 to 4 months after being diagnosed.recovery is not very good with small cell cancer,
The reason for the short post-diagnosis lifespan iseven in the earlier stages. Because of the overall low
that by the time small cell cancer starts to showrate of recovery, newer and better small cell cancer
serious symptoms, it is often already spread aroundtreatments is a popular are of cancer research. If
the body. When the cancer has spread to areas allyou have been diagnosed with small cell cancer, you
over the body, surgical removal is not really anmay be eligible to participate in some clinical trials for
option, as it can't be expected to significantlynew treatments.
increase life expectancy enough to justify the risksThe best treatment for small cell cancer is of course
and adverse health effects.prevention. Fortunately, it is a very preventable
So it is for good reason that small cell cancer isdisease, and has a low likelihood of occurring in
feared. However it isn't always an immediate deathnon-smokers. Smoking vastly increases your likelihood
sentence. About 30 percent of the cases are caughtof developing small cell cancer, and most cases of
before the cancer has spread out of the immediatesmall cell cancer are related to tobacco use.
chest area, and this is referred to as 'limited stage'Combined with the increased likelihood of other types
small cell cancer. People with limited stage small cellof cancer, lung diseases, and heart disease, smoking
cancer can expect to live at least another year,is estimated to kill around 300,000 people in the
possibly two or more. Also, surgery may be anUnited States each year. Whether you have a history
option for some people with limited stage cancer,of cancer in your family or not, its always a good
improving their prognosis considerably.idea to quit smoking.