Treating extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC)

Initial treatments

STEP 1: FIRST COURSE OF THERAPY

The first course of therapy for ES-SCLC is usually chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

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Works by attacking cells that divide and spread rapidly, which makes it ideal for SCLC.

Immunotherapy

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Works by stimulating or boosting your immune system to help target cancer cells.

SCLC is usually first treated with chemotherapy combinations. The combinations used most often are: carboplatin + etoposide and cisplatin + etoposide.

SCLC often responds to the first course of therapy. However, many people with SCLC experience recurrence after a period of improvement.

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When initial therapy has helped shrink tumors or slow the progression of SCLC, the next step could be maintenance therapy.

Tip

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Many people find that connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can be helpful.

STEP 2: CONTINUING WITH MAINTENANCE THERAPY

If the first course of therapy has worked to shrink tumors or stop SCLC from getting worse, it’s critical to keep treating it. That’s where maintenance therapy fits in. It’s given as the next step after initial treatment to help prevent cancer from coming back.

Your doctor may decide if maintenance therapy is right for you.

Why maintenance therapy is important

Due to the serious, aggressive nature of SCLC, it’s important to continue treating it aggressively. Continuing with maintenance therapy may help delay the time to progression or recurrence of your cancer.

See results from a maintenance therapy option
 

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Subsequent treatment

If the first course of therapy doesn't work, or if SCLC gets worse after a period of improvement, it is critical to treat SCLC with another therapy. Your doctor may talk to you about different treatment options.

Why subsequent treatment is important

Due to the serious, aggressive nature of SCLC, it's important to treat it aggressively. Subsequent treatment could help shrink or slow the growth of your cancer.

See results from a treatment option for relapse

How ZEPZELCA works

Learn more about how ZEPZELCA works in the body to help fight SCLC.