Prognostic factors in small cell lung cancer

In order to find out prognostic factors and treatment results in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 40 patients diagnosed in one year period were prospectively analysed. Following history and physical examination, patients were grouped according to ECOG performance scale and underwent Chest X-ray and thoracic computerized tomography (CT). Complete blood count, biochemical analyses, tumor markers were taken. Abdominal USG or CT, bone scintigraphy, cranial CT or MRI and bone marrow biopsy were made for detection of metastases. Limited stage patients received chemotherapy and thoracic RT, whereas cases with extensive disease received chemotherapy. Nineteen cases had limited and 21 had extensive disease. When laboratory findings between 2 stages were compared, LDH, SGOT and GGT were significantly higher in extensive stage (p= 0.005, 0.015, 0.001, respectively). Overall median survival was 6 +/- 1 months, cumulative survival in 6 and 12 months were 39% and 20.72%, respectively. Median survival was 10 +/- 2 months in limited stage and 3 +/- 1 months in extensive stage, with a statististically significant difference. Univariate analyses showed that incresed LDH, CA15-3, GGT and SGOT levels, hipoproteinemia and poor performance scale were poor prognostic signs (p= 0.024, 0.032, 0.047, 0.013, 0.021 ve 0.013, respectively), however multivariate analyses revealed no significant difference. Other blood tests, pleural effusion, age, mediastinal lymph node metastases and weight loss had no prognostic effect. Stage was found to be progniostic factor with both univariate and multivariate analyses (p= 0.045).