Role of Surgery in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Dr Narasimman Sathiamurthy, Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Small cell lung cancer comprises around 10 to 15% of the lung cancers diagnosed. Role of surgery in small cell lung cancer is controversial due to its highly aggressive nature and often metastasised on presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Comprehensive Cancer Network and European Society of Medical Oncology guidelines indicate that surgical resection should be considered for stage 1 small cell lung cancer only. However, a recent metanalysis looking at Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database showed survival benefit for patients with small cell lung ca stage I and IIA. The role of surgery in the era of multimodality treatment will be revisited and discussed.