It's quite uncommon but possible. I would say that fewer than 1% of SCLC patients are never-smokers, but they certainly exist. If there were ambiguity about whether a cancer was NSCLC or SCLC in a never-smoker, I'd say the status as a never-smoker makes SCLC less likely (though possible).
Thank you for your answer. In follow-up...and with regard to genetic testing...does it matter sclc or nsclc as far as treatment goes related to genetic testing, results. And treatment? Thank you.
Yes, there's a difference between sclc and nsclc when it comes to having mutations that have treatments for them. There are no mutations identified for sclc that have treatments however there are mutations that have treatments for nsclc with an adenocarcinoma nsclc subtype or more specifically non-squamous subtype nsclc. We have a large amount of info on the subject. If you use the search feature Grace provides it works beautifully though you may need to log off Grace in order to access results (depending on your browser). The mutations/translocations that have treatments available are EGFR, ALK, and ROS 1. There may be others in trial but these are ones you'd want tested and maybe in that order because they have treatments proven helpful. If you have one you prob don't have another, they all remain rather rare especially if you've smoked, the larger the smoking history the less likely to have one. But always considered worth the testing for non squamous.
Thanks so much for this information, Janine. I am new to the site. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He is 67 and otherwise very healthy playing golf four times a week up until his diagnosis. Pancoast was mentioned as he presented with an enlarged right side of neck (from tumor in upper lobe of lung). Local hospital in FL performed biopsy (sclc) but when sample sent to MA General, results came back inconclusive. After 4 round of cisplatin/etopisode, oncologist recommends radiology (neck) as PET scan, although it indicates favorable response, not as much as he would have thought. Went for second opinion (U of Miami in Deerfield - Sylvester Institute). Oncologist specializing in lung feels there are red flags that this might not be sclc afterall. Second biopsy scheduled at Boca Regional this Thursday. In the meantime, radiation has been put on hold, although both oncologists feel we should go ahead with fourth round of chemo second week July while we wait for results. Congratulations and God Bless on your husband's NED!!! Hoping we will get there some day...
Reply # - June 21, 2014, 06:28 PM
Reply To: Sclc
It's quite uncommon but possible. I would say that fewer than 1% of SCLC patients are never-smokers, but they certainly exist. If there were ambiguity about whether a cancer was NSCLC or SCLC in a never-smoker, I'd say the status as a never-smoker makes SCLC less likely (though possible).
-Dr. West
Reply # - June 21, 2014, 07:22 PM
Reply To: Sclc
Thank you for your answer. In follow-up...and with regard to genetic testing...does it matter sclc or nsclc as far as treatment goes related to genetic testing, results. And treatment? Thank you.
Reply # - June 21, 2014, 09:34 PM
Reply To: Sclc
Yes, there's a difference between sclc and nsclc when it comes to having mutations that have treatments for them. There are no mutations identified for sclc that have treatments however there are mutations that have treatments for nsclc with an adenocarcinoma nsclc subtype or more specifically non-squamous subtype nsclc. We have a large amount of info on the subject. If you use the search feature Grace provides it works beautifully though you may need to log off Grace in order to access results (depending on your browser). The mutations/translocations that have treatments available are EGFR, ALK, and ROS 1. There may be others in trial but these are ones you'd want tested and maybe in that order because they have treatments proven helpful. If you have one you prob don't have another, they all remain rather rare especially if you've smoked, the larger the smoking history the less likely to have one. But always considered worth the testing for non squamous.
This is an excellent place to start. http://cancergrace.org/lung/2010/10/10/overview-of-molecular-markers-in…
There is a ton written on the subject of molecular testing and mutations. Much of what you find is in cronological order so I searched the words basic and mutation, this is the result, http://cancergrace.org/search-results?q=basic%20of%20mutation
I hope this helps get you started and please ask more questions as they arise.
Janine
Reply # - June 22, 2014, 07:43 AM
Reply To: Sclc
Thanks so much for this information, Janine. I am new to the site. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He is 67 and otherwise very healthy playing golf four times a week up until his diagnosis. Pancoast was mentioned as he presented with an enlarged right side of neck (from tumor in upper lobe of lung). Local hospital in FL performed biopsy (sclc) but when sample sent to MA General, results came back inconclusive. After 4 round of cisplatin/etopisode, oncologist recommends radiology (neck) as PET scan, although it indicates favorable response, not as much as he would have thought. Went for second opinion (U of Miami in Deerfield - Sylvester Institute). Oncologist specializing in lung feels there are red flags that this might not be sclc afterall. Second biopsy scheduled at Boca Regional this Thursday. In the meantime, radiation has been put on hold, although both oncologists feel we should go ahead with fourth round of chemo second week July while we wait for results. Congratulations and God Bless on your husband's NED!!! Hoping we will get there some day...