Common knowledge about chemotherapy for small alveolar lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer is an undifferentiated cancer, a poorly differentiated and highly malignant tumor. If not treated in time, the survival of patients with small cell lung cancer is extremely short. The median survival time from diagnosis is less than three months, and the two-year survival rate is less than 1%. The prognosis is also extremely grim.

Chemotherapy will inhibit the bone marrow hematopoietic system, mainly the decrease of white blood cells and platelets, thereby inhibiting the unlimited proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells and other terrible lesions. Small alveolar lung cancer is sensitive to chemotherapy. Patients with small cell lung cancer confirmed by pathology or cytology; patients with KS scores of 50-60 points or above; patients with an expected survival time of more than one month and patients aged ≤70 years, if there is no intrathoracic lymph node metastasis, are recommended to receive chemotherapy first.

Chemotherapy for small alveolar lung cancer is not suitable for all patients. Its contraindications mainly include: (1) the elderly or those with cachexia; (2) those with severe heart, liver and kidney dysfunction; (3) those with poor bone marrow function, white blood cell count below 3×109/L, and platelet count below 80×109/L (direct count); (4) those with complications and infection, fever, and bleeding tendency.

Tips: KS scoring

KS score, or Karnofsky score, is an indicator of a patient's general health status and tolerance to treatment based on his or her physical strength.

Patients with a score of 60 can take care of themselves for the most part, but occasionally need help from others, and patients with a score of 50 often need care.