Prolonged progression free interval in a patient with locally recurrent small cell lung cancer presenting with cerebellar paraneoplastic syndrome

Abstract

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) accounts for 15–20% of all lung cancers and is the most aggressive lung-cancer subtype. Even with treatment median overall survival is short, in the range of 9–12 months. Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor with nearly 95% of the cases being linked to smoking. Historically SCLC was classified into two stages – limited stage, when disease is confined to one hemithorax that can be encompassed into one radical radiation field, and extensive stage beyond the former boundaries. Recently, the International Association of the Study of Lung Cancer has proposed using the TNM staging system for more accurate estimation of prognosis. Chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of SCLC management in both limited and extensive stages, in conjunction with radiotherapy. In this case report we are describing a SCLC patient with an unusual pattern of local recurrence and prolonged course of disease.