Small cell carcinoma of the lung other diagnostic studies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Among patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have pleural effusion large enough to be sampled, thoracentesis should be performed. The results of the analysis of the pleural effusion should be considered in the staging of the lesion. In addition, pathological mediastinal staging in selected patients should be performed through either mediastinoscopy, video assisted thoracoscopy, or endobronchial/esophageal guided ultrasound biopsy. Moreover, bone marrow biopsy is required among SCLC who have evidence on blood smear of nucleated red blood cells, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia.

Among patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have pleural effusion large enough to be sampled, thoracentesis should be performed.^[1]
The results of the analysis of the pleural effusion should be considered in the staging of the lesion.^[1]
Pathological mediastinal staging in selected patients should be performed through either mediastinoscopy, video assisted thoracoscopy, or endobronchial/esophageal guided ultrasound biopsy.
Bone marrow biopsy is required among SCLC who have evidence on blood smear of nucleated red blood cells, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia.