Research Radartracking 1,138 published studies · 277 human · 6 safety signals · 42 clinical trials · 44 cancer pages · updated Jul 2026Open the Research Map →

Small Cell Carcinoma

A plain-English summary of the published research on Small Cell Carcinoma, reviewed and approved by our editors — not a hand-curated clinical overview.

Research summary · reviewed
Educational only: This page is not medical advice. Coordinate decisions with your oncology team.

Reviewed Jun 2026 · OncoForge editorial · How we review →

AI extractedhuman reviewedsources checkedretractions suppressed· last updated Jun 2026

Evidence at a glanceHuman · observationalMixed results⚠ Studies disagree
41 published studies that name Small Cell Carcinoma7 human studies approved & graded (trial, observational, or meta-analysis)36 human clinical studies in the Small Cell Carcinoma corpus785 source documents in the Small Cell Carcinoma corpus

last checked June 20, 2026

Why this grade?

Human · observational — Human observational evidence only — no trials.

Computed deterministically from the studies’ types and reported outcomes — not written by AI, and not a claim that anything works.

What the guidelines say

NCI PDQESMONCCNASCO

We link the authoritative guidelines rather than reproduce them. Below, the treatments on this page are split into standard care, guideline or regulatory options, supportive care, and studied but not standard so established care is not mixed with experimental or supportive items.

Studied, not standard - investigational
  • total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
  • radiotherapy
  • Surgery
  • Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
  • Chemoradiation
  • carboplatin
  • nivolumab + ipilimumab
  • pembrolizumab
  • alectinib
  • CHD3 depletion/targeting
  • platinum etoposide
  • Etoposide
  • Durvalumab
  • Cisplatin

Read the guidelines

Cancer-specific deep links aren’t curated yet — these search the authoritative sources for Small Cell Carcinoma.

Treatment map: Small Cell Carcinoma

Open as a full page →

Standard care plus every compound studied in the literature (each cited) and graded by evidence, organized by clinical readiness. A category, not a verdict that anything works — confirm anything here with your oncology team.

14
Interventions
0
Standard of care
2
Tested in people
4
Lab / animal
8
Named in lit.
7
Classes
Standard of care (0) Guideline option (0) Tested in people (2) Lab / animal only (4) Named in the literature (8)

Tested in people, by trial phase: phase not reported ×2

Clinical evidence
Preclinical evidence
Standard of care
Guideline option
Tested in people
Lab / animal only
Named in the literature
Surgery & procedures
—
—
2
—
—
Radiotherapy
—
—
—
—
1
Chemotherapy
—
—
—
2
1
Targeted therapy
—
—
—
—
2
Immunotherapy
—
—
—
1
2
Hormonal therapy
—
—
—
—
1
Other
—
—
—
1
1

Columns group into clinical evidence (used in, or tested on, people) and preclinical evidence (lab/animal, or only named in the literature). Cell = number of interventions; a dashed cell means none recorded there.

Investigational & adjunct compounds — detail (14)
Tested in people (2)
Surgerytotal parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Named in the literature
radiotherapyAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT)Chemoradiationnivolumab + ipilimumabpembrolizumaboff-labelalectinib· EML4::ALK fusionCHD3 depletion/targeting· dual SMARCA4/SMARCA2 lossplatinum etoposide

"Tested in people" rows show the highest trial phase found in that compound's cited human studies (Phase I–IV; "phase not reported" = a human study with no phase tag). "Studied" = named in the cited literature for this cancer. "FDA ✓" = FDA-approved for this cancer; "off-label" = an FDA-approved drug used outside its approved indications (per openFDA). Not a claim that anything works.

Reported figures

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Snapshot

The essentials in ~60 seconds — every line is drawn from the cited sources below.

What it is
Small cell carcinoma is an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer that often presents as advanced disease; in some sites it is the predominant histologic subtype (for example, it accounted for 50% of nasopharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas). [1][2]
Survival
Prognosis is generally poor: in a nasopharyngeal NEC cohort median overall survival was 21 months and median disease-specific survival was 23 months (5‑year overall survival 32.3%, 5‑year disease-specific survival 39.1%); primary renal small cell carcinoma series reported a median survival of 9.9 months. [1][2]
Standard treatment
Multimodality management is described, with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery identified as independent prognostic factors; in one population cohort radiotherapy was delivered in 78.1% of patients and about one‑fifth underwent surgery, while the role of surgery in some sites (digestive system) remains controversial. [1][3]
Biggest challenge
The main clinical problems are aggressive biology and frequent presentation at advanced stage, leading to poor outcomes and, in some settings, complex disease such as collision tumors that can indicate worse prognosis. [1][2][4]

Ask about Small Cell Carcinoma

Answers come only from the cited sources on this page — with the supporting evidence shown. If the sources here don't cover your question, it will say so. Educational information, not medical advice.

Key numbers & factors

Risk factors

  • ▲ increases riskSmoking — Associated with thoracic SMARCA4‑deficient undifferentiated tumors. [5]

Biomarkers

  • POU2F3 · Defines a subset that lacks usual neuroendocrine markers (up to 10% of cases) and identifies a POU2F3‑expressing LCNEC/SCLC subgroup. [6][7]
  • SMARCA4 (BRG‑1) deficiency · Marks SMARCA4‑deficient tumors/SMARCA4d‑UT and indicates a related aggressive tumor spectrum. [8][5]
  • RB1 loss · Loss on immunohistochemistry is a poor prognostic marker in advanced LCNEC (retained RB1 associated with longer disease‑free survival). [9]
  • TP53, AURKA, MYCN · Commonly mutated genes that characterize neuroendocrine prostate cancer and small cell carcinoma genomically. [10]
  • PD‑L1 (TPS >50%) · High PD‑L1 expression was observed in a majority of SMARCA4‑deficient lung tumors in one series. [5]
  • EGFR, KRAS, MAP2K1, EML4::ALK and other genetic alterations · Genetic alterations that can be present in SMARCA4‑deficient lung tumors. [5]
  • Neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CD56, INSM1) and cytokeratins · Immunohistochemical markers used to assess neuroendocrine differentiation; some small cell cases lack these markers and instead show pancytokeratin and POU2F3 expression, while primary renal small cell carcinoma is hypothesized to express Syn and CD56. [6][2]

10 sections — tap any heading to expand its cited detail. Key points are above.

Key biomarkers11 points
  • High expression of PD-L1 (TPS >50%) was seen in 12 of 18 SMARCA4-deficient lung tumors (67%). [5]
  • Genetic alterations often seen in lung cancer were identified in eight of the 18 SMARCA4-deficient lung tumors, including mutations in EGFR, KRAS, MAP2K1, and a gene fusion involving EML4::ALK; fusions involving BRAF::CHCHD3 and FGFR1::FILIP1 were identified in two SMARCA4-deficient adenocarcinomas in the series. [5]
  • RB1 loss on immunohistochemistry was identified in 58% of cases of pulmonary LCNEC; among the tumors with RB1 loss, 94% had mutant-pattern p53. [9]
  • In a 10-year institutional cerebrospinal fluid cytology series of metastatic solid malignancies, one case of small cell carcinoma was identified among 150 patients with metastatic solid tumors. [11]
  • Up to 10% of small cell lung carcinomas do not express neuroendocrine markers and are characterized by expression of the transcription factor POU2F3. [6]
  • In the two reported primary cutaneous cases, immunohistochemistry showed diffuse pancytokeratin positivity with no expression of cytokeratin 20, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CD56, or INSM1, and diffuse nuclear expression of POU2F3. [6]
  • Deficiency or loss of SMARCA4 expression has been implicated in the development and progression of several gynecological neoplasms, including small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT). [8]
  • Neuroendocrine prostate cancer and small cell carcinoma are reported to be genomically characterized by mutations in TP53, RB1, AURKA, and MYCN. [10]
  • A study of POU2F3-expressing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC-P) reported RB1 mutations in 100% of LCNEC-P cases. [7]
  • Primary renal small cell carcinoma is hypothesized to express neuroendocrine markers such as Syn and CD56. [2]
  • H3K27me3 labeling patterns have been characterized in multiple tumor types including noncutaneous small cell carcinomas (SmCCs). [12]
Biology & pathways7 points
  • Autopsy and microscopic studies suggest that small cell carcinoma may be associated with giant cell carcinoma–like components. [13]
  • Collision tumors can include synchronous metastatic small cell carcinoma occurring together with a plasma cell neoplasm in the same lesion. [4]
  • SMARCA4 encodes the BRG1 protein and is a crucial component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex involved in regulating gene expression and maintaining genomic integrity. [8]
  • POU2F3-expressing large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC-P) shows a strong mutually exclusive expression pattern with ASCL1 and NEUROD1 and represents a distinct subgroup that closely resembles the POU2F3-defined subtype of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC-P). [7]
  • In at least one reported PRSCC case, cytogenetic assessment showed complex chromosome abnormalities including highly unstable chromosomes, multiple chromosomal gains, p53 loss and Myc gene amplification, and PRSCC may have a distinct genetic background from clear cell renal cell carcinoma with loss of the short arm of chromosome 3 reported as a primary feature in one study. [2]
  • SMARCA4-deficient tumors are characterized by loss of SMARCA4 (BRG-1) expression; the authors suggest SMARCA4d-UT and SMARCA4-deficient carcinomas may lie on the same disease spectrum and that their histologic distinction can be challenging. [5]
  • The CHD3/NuRD nucleosome remodeling complex is a critical synthetic lethal vulnerability in SWI/SNF‑deficient cancers with dual SMARCA4/SMARCA2 loss; loss of CHD3 triggers aberrant chromatin hyper-accessibility and toxic derepression of PARD3B, with PARD3B accumulation acting as a critical mediator of cell death associated with attenuation of MYC signaling signatures. [14]
Epidemiology5 points
  • Small cell carcinoma of the lung often has skeletal metastasis and paraneoplastic syndromes, but hypercalcemia is only rarely associated with it. [15]
  • Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and small cell carcinoma are rare de novo (representing less than 2% of newly diagnosed cases) but may occur in 10–20% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). [10]
  • Primary renal small cell carcinoma (PRSCC) is extremely rare, with only about 100–200 clinical cases documented worldwide. [2]
  • Renal cell carcinoma is by far the most prevalent histological type of kidney cancer, and overall kidney cancer accounted for 2–3% of all cancer cases. [2]
  • Small cell carcinoma is the most frequently encountered neuroendocrine tumour (NET) of the urinary bladder and may occur as a pure form or combined with urothelial carcinoma or other histological subtypes. [16]
Standard management4 points
  • Randomized trials did not find significant improvement in response or survival when total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was added to chemotherapy regimens that included patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung. [17]
  • The role of surgery in localized small cell carcinoma of the digestive system remains controversial. [3]
  • Sources describe that multivariable Cox regression identified radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery as independent prognostic factors for overall and cancer-specific survival; in IPTW analyses, surgery remained independently associated with better OS and CSS. [3]
  • In the NP-NEC population-based cohort, approximately one-fifth of patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy was delivered in 78.1% of patients, and treatment modality was associated with disease-specific survival. [1]
Treatments & compounds studied12 treatments

Chemotherapy

  • carboplatin: Carboplatin has been reported to retain the same spectrum of activity as cisplatin and to have available efficacy data in small cell carcinoma of the lung. [18]
  • platinum etoposide: Tumor responses to platinum etoposide versus other chemotherapy regimens were reported in a pooled analysis of published study data. [9]

Targeted therapy

Show 2 lab & early-research entries
  • alectinib: EML4::ALK fusionA patient with an EML4::ALK fusion was treated with alectinib and experienced a partial response. [5]
  • CHD3 depletion/targeting: dual SMARCA4/SMARCA2 lossDepletion of CHD3 produced robust tumor regression in dual SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient xenografts, reported in tumors including subsets identified as small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type. [14]

Immunotherapy

  • nivolumab + ipilimumab: A policy discussion noted nivolumab plus ipilimumab were proposed for tumour-agnostic reimbursement, citing the SWOG DART trial as demonstrating clinically meaningful activity across multiple histologies without biomarker selection. [19]
  • pembrolizumab: The policy discussion noted that, in January 2026, a similar tumour-agnostic recommendation was made for pembrolizumab. [19]

Hormonal therapy

  • Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT): Long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is described as a context in which treatment-emergent neuroendocrine differentiation and small cell carcinoma can arise. [10]

Radiotherapy

  • radiotherapy: Radiotherapy has been reported to be delivered in 78.1% of patients in one NP-NEC cohort, and in another series four patients with biopsy-proven small cell carcinoma died rapidly following radiotherapy. [13][1]
    proportion receiving radiotherapy 78.1%
    Source quote
    • “Radiotherapy was delivered in 78.1%.”

Procedures & devices

  • total parenteral nutrition (TPN): Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been studied as an addition to chemotherapy in small cell carcinoma and randomized trials reported no significant improvement in response or survival. [17]
  • Surgery · 2 findings
    • Surgery was independently associated with better overall survival (multivariable HR 0.544, 95% CI: 0.470–0.630, P < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (multivariable HR 0.559, 95% CI: 0.480–0.651, P < 0.001) in SCCDS. [3]
      HR for OS (multivariable) 0.342 (95% CI 0.302–0.387), p < 0.001 vs No chemotherapyHR for OS (multivariable) 0.718 (95% CI 0.628–0.821), p < 0.001 vs No radiotherapy
      Source quotes
      • “Chemotherapy No11Yes0.342(0.302,0.387)&lt; 0.0010.355(0.312,0.404)&lt; 0.001”
      • “Radiotherapy No11Yes0.718(0.628,0.821)&lt; 0.0010.719(0.625,0.827)&lt; 0.001”
    • Surgery was performed in approximately one-fifth of patients in the NP-NEC cohort. [1]
      proportion receiving radiotherapy 78.1%
      Source quote
      • “Radiotherapy was delivered in 78.1%.”

Other

Show 1 lab & early-research entry
  • Chemoradiation: A case report described a complete radiographic response after chemoradiation on follow-up MRI. [10]
Prognosis9 points
  • In the NP-NEC cohort the median overall survival was 21 months. [1]
  • Five-year overall survival in the NP-NEC cohort was 32.3%. [1]
  • Primary renal small cell carcinoma commonly presents as large, advanced-stage tumors with high malignancy and poor prognosis; one series reported a median survival of 9.9 months. [2]
  • Collision tumors often indicate more complex disease biology and potentially poorer prognosis. [4]
  • For small cell carcinoma of the digestive system, median survival time has been described as remaining limited even with multimodal treatment approaches. [3]
  • In a reported series, survival outcomes were similar between SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors and SMARCA4-deficient carcinomas. [5]
  • Retained RB1 was independently associated with longer disease-free survival of patients with advanced stage disease (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.64, P = 0.0031); overall, RB1 loss assessed via immunohistochemistry is a poor prognostic factor for advanced stage LCNEC. [9]
  • In the NP-NEC cohort the median disease-specific survival was 23 months. [1]
  • Five-year disease-specific survival in the NP-NEC cohort was 39.1%. [1]
Safety & interactions1 point
  • In two randomized trial instances, addition of TPN was associated with decreased survival and raised concern that caloric support without effective antitumor therapy might stimulate cancer growth. [17]
What we don't know yet8 points
  • Whether nutritional repletion of a malnourished cancer patient receiving chemotherapy or interventions designed to alter metabolic abnormalities associated with cancer cachexia will improve clinical outcome remains to be critically tested and will be determined in ongoing clinical trials. [17]
  • Targeting SMARCA4-deficient tumors has become an area of active research, with potential therapeutic strategies noted for aggressive gynecological tumor subtypes. [8]
  • Sources describe PRSCC as rare, with its clinicopathological features and gene mutation spectrum related to pathogenesis remaining to be elucidated; due to extreme rarity, available genetic data are based on individual cases and additional samples are needed. [2]
  • A unified terminology for SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors and carcinomas may be beneficial for diagnosis and treatment. [5]
  • Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder is increasingly recognized but is not yet fully characterized; advances in molecular characterization have improved understanding of bladder neuroendocrine tumours and can enable better classification and risk stratification for clinical decision-making. [16]
  • Prior studies on association of RB1 status with differential response to chemotherapy regimens had contrasting results. [9]
  • The addition of p53, p16 or cyclin D1 for subgrouping did not improve prognostic stratification. [9]
  • The literature review argues for recognition and inclusion of combined carcinoid and non-small cell lung cancer as a separate class, especially because of its distinct therapeutic implications. [20]
Overview5 points
  • Nasopharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NP-NEC) is an uncommon malignancy that carries a poor prognosis. [1]
  • Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a rare and highly aggressive neuroendocrine neoplasm that can be diagnosed on urine cytology by small malignant cells with high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratios, nuclear moulding, finely granular chromatin, and a necrotic background with apoptotic debris. [21]
  • Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4d-UT) is an uncommon, aggressive lung neoplasm associated with smoking and characterized by loss of SMARCA4 (BRG-1) expression. [5]
  • In a population-based cohort of NP-NEC, small cell carcinoma was the predominant histologic subtype, accounting for 50% of cases. [1]
Show 1 lab & early-research finding
  • Case reports and series have described combined carcinoid and non-small cell lung cancer, supporting the idea that this may represent a distinct clinicopathologic entity. [20]
Staging & risk1 point
  • In the NP-NEC cohort, AJCC stage was associated with both overall survival and disease-specific survival. [1]

Sources

Every statement above is drawn from these reviewed sources. This page reports what they describe. Sources last checked June 20, 2026.

  1. Review articleNasopharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma: a population-based perspective · 2026
  2. Review articleWhole-exome sequencing unveils novel potential gene mutations involved in primary renal small cell carcinoma · 2026
  3. ObservationalAssociation of surgery with survival in small cell carcinoma of the digestive system: a population-based observational study using machine learning · 2026
  4. Review articleCollision Tumors Involving Metastatic Carcinoma and Plasma Cell Myeloma: Report of Two Cases · 2026
  5. Review articleDetection of targetable genetic alterations in SMARCA4-deficient neoplasms of the lung - further evidence of a relationship between SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor and non-small cell carcinoma · 2026
  6. Review articlePrimary cutaneous non neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma POU2F3 subtype: morphologic, immunohistochemical, transcriptomic and methylation analysis of two cases · 2026
  7. Review articleCharacterization of POU2F3-expressing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: A comprehensive analysis of morphology, immunohistochemistry, and genomic alterations · 2026
  8. Review articleAn update on the role of SMARCA4 deficiency in gynecological neoplasms: how and where · 2026
  9. Review articleUtility of RB1 immunohistochemistry for prognostic subtyping of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma · 2026
  10. Review articleRadiomics-Based Characterization of Aggressive Prostate Cancer Variants: Diagnostic Challenges and Opportunities · 2026
  11. Review articleCytopathologic diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid metastasis from solid tumors: a 10-year institutional review · 2026
  12. Review articleDiagnostic Utility and Clinicopathologic Associations of Histone H3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation (H3K27me3) Immunohistochemistry for Merkel Cell Carcinoma · 2026
  13. Clinical trialGiant cell formation in small cell carcinoma of the lung · 1983
  14. Review articleTargeting the CHD3 chromatin remodeler exploits a synthetic lethal vulnerability in dual SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient cancers via derepression of PARD3B · 2026
  15. Clinical trialHypercalcemia in small cell carcinoma of the pancreas · 1984
  16. Review articleNeuroendocrine tumours of the urinary bladder: recent advances · 2026
  17. Clinical trialCritical evaluation of the role of nutritional support with chemotherapy · 1985
  18. Clinical trialCarboplatin: the clinical spectrum to date · 1985
  19. Review articleThe case for tumour-agnostic reimbursement of dual immunotherapy · 2026
  20. Review articleMixed/combined pulmonary non-small cell carcinoma and carcinoid: State-of-the-Art review of clinical, histological, and molecular features with therapeutic implications · 2026
  21. Review articleWhen Small Cells Matter: Diagnosing Bladder Small Cell Carcinoma on Urine Cytology · 2026

What supports this page

The kinds of sources behind this page, strongest at the top. Faint rungs show what is not here yet.

Guideline
2
Meta-analysis
17
Systematic review
7
Randomized trial
2
Clinical trial
16
Observational
1
Case report
308
Review
423
Preclinical
0
Other
9

Living document — last change June 20, 2026: Cancer page updated. 5 recent updates logged.

Compounds compared by evidence

PubMed

How to read this: Ranked by the strength and volume of the evidence — NOT by how well a treatment works. A higher rank means a compound has been studied more, or in stronger study designs (e.g. randomized trials over lab studies), not that it produces better outcomes. The effect column shows the largest pooled figure reported, not a head-to-head comparison.

#CompoundEvidence strengthStudiesLargest pooled effect
1Etoposide OtherInsufficient evidence3—
2Carboplatin ChemotherapyInsufficient evidence2—
3Durvalumab ImmunotherapyInsufficient evidence2—
4Cisplatin ChemotherapyInsufficient evidence1—

Ranked across 4 compounds with published studies for this cancer. Updated 7/21/2026.

Medicines & supplements studied for Small Cell Carcinoma

PubMedFDAClinicalTrials.gov

Every drug, supplement, and other agent the published studies cover for Small Cell Carcinoma, ranked by how strong the evidence is — what studies report, not a recommendation. Tap any to see its full profile.

Medicines · 4

EtoposideInsufficient evidenceReported negative

No primary experimental studies yet.

Largest credible effect: time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1 PMID 40129783

Most authoritative study: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

No human studies yet · Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 3 studies · All studies are small (n < 30).
OtherFDA off-label3 studiesFull profile →
CarboplatinInsufficient evidenceMixed results

No primary experimental studies yet.

Largest credible effect: time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1 PMID 40129783

Most authoritative study: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

No human studies yet · Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 2 studies · All studies are small (n < 30).
ChemotherapyFDA off-label2 studiesFull profile →
DurvalumabInsufficient evidenceMixed results

No primary experimental studies yet.

Largest credible effect: time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1 PMID 40129783

Most authoritative study: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

No human studies yet · Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 2 studies · All studies are small (n < 30).
ImmunotherapyFDA off-label2 studiesFull profile →
CisplatinInsufficient evidenceReported negative

No primary experimental studies yet.

Most authoritative study: Prostate small cell carcinoma and skin metastases: a rare entity

No human studies yet · No numeric effect sizes reported · Based on a single study.
ChemotherapyFDA off-label1 studyFull profile →

What recent studies report in Small Cell Carcinoma

These are reviewed studies whose abstracts concern Small Cell Carcinoma. Each describes only what that study reported. This is not a claim by OncoForge that any compound helps or harms Small Cell Carcinoma. Most are early lab, animal, or small human studies, and findings often conflict.

41 studies7 human2 animal1 lab⚠ Conflicting evidenceMechanism (14)

Tracking 41 published studies of Small Cell Carcinoma: 7 in humans, 2 in animals, 1 in the lab, 31 reviews/other.

Reported direction across studies: 7 positive, 9 mixed, 10 negative, 15 inconclusive.

Findings conflict — both supportive and negative/mixed results exist (see below). Human evidence is limited.

These counts summarize what the studies reported; they are not a measure of whether anything works for Small Cell Carcinoma.

Compounds with studies mentioning Small Cell Carcinoma

Etoposide (3)Durvalumab (2)Carboplatin (2)Cisplatin (1)
ReviewMechanismInconclusiveModerate evidenceTier 4 · clinical

Neuroendocrine tumours of the urinary bladder: recent advances

Histopathology · Jan 2026

neuroendocrine tumour of the urinary bladdersmall cell carcinomalarge cell neuroendocrine carcinomawell-differentiated neuroendocrine tumourparaganglioma

This review summarizes recent advances in the pathology and molecular understanding of neuroendocrine tumours of the urinary bladder. It reports that small cell carcinoma is the most commonly encountered bladder NET and may occur alone or alongside urothelial carcinoma or other histologies. Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is being increasingly recognized but remains incompletely characterized, whereas well-differentiated NETs and paragangliomas of the bladder are rare. The authors state that molecular characterization advances have improved biological understanding and may enable better classification and risk stratification.

Studied with: urothelial carcinoma, other histological subtypes.

Key findings
  • Small cell carcinoma is the most frequently encountered neuroendocrine tumour of the urinary bladder and may present as either pure or in combination with urothelial carcinoma or other histological subtypes.
  • Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is increasingly recognized in this location, but it is not yet fully characterized.
  • Well-differentiated NET and paraganglioma of the bladder are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms.
  • Advances in the molecular characterization of these tumours have enhanced our understanding of their biology and can provide better classification and more accurate risk stratification for clinical decision-making.
Limitations: Narrative review format (no methods, search strategy, or systematic synthesis described in the abstract).; Abstract does not present new primary data or quantitative results.; Abstract provides no details on specific molecular markers, study cohorts, or clinical outcome data..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed

ReviewInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical

Small cell carcinoma of the bladder: Review of pathogenesis, presentation, and management

Bladder cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · Aug 2025 · narrative review

small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB)

This is a narrative review of small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB), a rare and aggressive subtype that represents under 1% of bladder cancers. The authors summarize clinical presentation, staging, local and systemic management, and molecular insights, noting most treatment regimens are extrapolated from small cell lung cancer and that novel agents are in development. They call for greater preclinical research and increased patient participation in clinical trials.

Key findings
  • SCCB is a rare, aggressive malignancy accounting for less than 1% of bladder cancers.
  • The review summarizes epidemiology, cystoscopic and imaging findings, staging methods, local and systemic treatment approaches, and molecular mechanisms underlying SCCB.
  • Most treatment regimens for SCCB are extrapolated from small cell lung cancer due to shared neuroendocrine features and aggressive phenotype.
  • Novel agents for SCCB are in clinical development.
  • The authors recommend increased preclinical research and greater participation of SCCB patients in clinical trials to expand treatment options.
Limitations: Review article with no new primary data reported.; Evidence base is limited and heterogeneous because SCCB is rare (<1% of bladder cancers).; Many treatment recommendations are extrapolated from small cell lung cancer rather than SCCB-specific trials.; Likely lack of large, randomized clinical trials specific to SCCB..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Case reportMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1

Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

Radiology case reports · Mar 2025 · case report

EtoposideDurvalumabCarboplatinextrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver

This is a single-patient case report of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver in a 52-year-old woman. The patient received systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide combined with durvalumab, had clinical improvement of symptoms, but died 10 months after starting chemoimmunotherapy. The authors note that optimal treatment for EPSCC is generally extrapolated from small cell lung cancer and that there is insufficient evidence to routinely recommend immunotherapy in this group.

Reported effects: tumor_dimensions, n=1 · time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1

Studied with: carboplatin, etoposide, carboplatin + etoposide.

Key findings
  • Diagnosis of EPSCC of the liver was made after biopsy and immunohistochemistry (positive for CKA1/A3, chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD56 and TTF-1).
  • Abdominal MRI showed an enlarged liver secondary to a mass affecting segments IV, V, VI, VII and VIII of 16.9 × 9.4 cm.
  • Systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide plus durvalumab was started.
  • There was clinical improvement of the symptoms after starting treatment.
  • The patient died 10 months after starting chemoimmunotherapy treatment.
  • Authors state that optimal treatment of EPSCC is generally extrapolated from small cell lung cancer and there is insufficient evidence to routinely recommend immunotherapy for EPSCC.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; No control or comparator group to assess treatment effect.; No dosing, schedule, or detailed treatment toxicity information provided.; Cannot establish causality or efficacy from a single observational case.; EPSCC is rare and treatment recommendations are extrapolated from small cell lung cancer, limiting direct applicability..

This report describes use of carboplatin + etoposide chemotherapy combined with durvalumab in a patient with extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver.

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Human · observationalReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 3

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: Clinical efficacy and biomarker exploration

Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics · Dec 2024 · case series (3 patients)

small cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE)

This case series reports three patients with small cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated with chemoimmunotherapy. Two limited-stage patients received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy followed by surgery and experienced notable, durable positive responses. The authors performed immunohistochemistry and whole exome sequencing and found that tumor CD8+ T-cell infiltration and PD-L1 expression were associated with favorable responses. This is described as the first reported use of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in limited-stage SCCE.

Studied with: chemotherapy, immunotherapy.

Key findings
  • Three SCCE patients (one extensive-stage, two limited-stage) were treated with chemoimmunotherapy.
  • The two limited-stage patients underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy and experienced notable and enduring positive responses.
  • Comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis and whole exome sequencing indicated that infiltration of CD8+ T cells and PD-L1 expression in the tumor were key factors associated with favorable responses to chemoimmunotherapy.
Limitations: Very small sample size (three patients) from a case series; No control or comparison group; Treatment regimen details (drug names, doses, schedules) are not reported in the abstract; Follow-up duration and objective outcome measures are not described in the abstract; Observational case reports cannot establish causality; biomarker associations are exploratory.

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Case reportInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1

Metastatic Small Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach

ACG case reports journal · Oct 2024 · case report

gastric small cell carcinomaGSCCsmall cell carcinoma of the stomach

This is a single-patient case report describing a 57-year-old man who presented with partial gastrointestinal obstruction and was found to have primary stage IV gastric small cell carcinoma with liver metastases. The authors note GSCC is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine tumor with early widespread metastasis and historically poor overall survival (<12 months), and that treatment regimens often mirror those used for small cell lung carcinoma because of histopathologic similarity.

Key findings
  • Primary gastric small cell carcinoma (GSCC) is an extremely rare type of small cell carcinoma.
  • GSCC has an aggressive nature with early widespread metastasis and late detection, giving it a poor prognosis with overall survival of <12 months.
  • GSCC is a type of neuroendocrine tumor and, because of histopathological similarity to small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), treatment regimens of GSCC include the same chemotherapy agents as SCLC.
  • Case reported: a 57-year-old man presented with signs of partial gastrointestinal obstruction and was found to have a primary stage IV GSCC with metastasis to the liver.
Limitations: Single-patient case report — findings are not generalizable.; No experimental intervention or comparative data reported.; No quantitative outcomes or follow-up data provided for this patient.; Prognostic statistic (<12 months overall survival) is presented as background rather than as a result from this case..

Clinical case description of a rare, aggressive gastric small cell carcinoma with metastatic disease.

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

ReviewMechanismInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the thymus

Frontiers in immunology · Aug 2024 · review

neuroendocrine neoplasms of the thymustypical carcinoidatypical carcinoidlarge cell neuroendocrine carcinomasmall cell carcinomathymus neoplasms

This is a narrative review summarizing neuroendocrine neoplasms of the thymus (tNENs), including typical and atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma. The authors note these tumors are rare, that clinical and pathological data are scarce, and that tNENs share features with neuroendocrine neoplasms in other organs (notably the lung) while also having some distinct clinical and pathological characteristics; the review focuses on pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Key findings
  • tNENs include typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma.
  • These tumors are rare and there are scarce clinical and pathological data available in the literature.
  • tNENs share many common features with neuroendocrine neoplasms in other organs (such as the lung) but also demonstrate some distinct clinical and pathological features.
  • The review primarily focuses on pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of tNENs.
Limitations: Narrative review rather than original research; no new primary data are reported.; Abstract states clinical and pathological data on tNENs are scarce, limiting conclusions.; No quantitative results, methods, or systematic review/meta-analysis methodology are provided in the abstract..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Animal studyReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 2 · animal

CDC7 inhibition impairs neuroendocrine transformation in lung and prostate tumors through MYC degradation

Signal transduction and targeted therapy · Jul 2024

lung adenocarcinomaprostate adenocarcinomasmall cell carcinoma (lung and prostate)neuroendocrine transformation

The study tested CDC7 inhibition with simurosertib in models of neuroendocrine (NE) transformation in lung and prostate tumors. In in vivo models, CDC7 inhibition suppressed NE transdifferentiation and extended responses to targeted therapy and to cytotoxic drugs by inducing proteasome-mediated degradation of the MYC oncoprotein; a degradation-resistant MYC isoform reversed this effect.

Studied with: targeted therapy (unspecified), cisplatin, irinotecan.

Key findings
  • CDC7 is upregulated during the initial steps of neuroendocrine transformation after TP53/RB1 co-inactivation.
  • CDC7 inhibition with simurosertib suppressed NE transdifferentiation and extended response to targeted therapy in in vivo models of NE transformation.
  • CDC7 inhibition induced proteasome-mediated degradation of MYC, implicated in stemness and histological transformation.
  • Ectopic overexpression of a degradation-resistant MYC isoform reestablished the NE transformation phenotype even in the presence of simurosertib.
  • CDC7 inhibition markedly extended response to standard cytotoxics (cisplatin, irinotecan) in lung and prostate small cell carcinoma models.
  • Authors propose CDC7 inhibition as a strategy to constrain lineage plasticity and to treat NE tumors; simurosertib clinical trials are ongoing (not reported in this study).
Limitations: All reported experiments are preclinical (in vivo models); no human trial data are presented in this abstract.; The abstract does not report sample sizes, doses, or detailed experimental parameters.; Species and detailed model descriptions are not specified in the abstract.; Safety, toxicity, and clinical efficacy in patients are not addressed in this study..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Case reportInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1

Small cell carcinoma of uterine cervix: A case report

Caspian journal of internal medicine · Jul 2024 · case report

small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervixcervical cancer

This is a case report of a 47-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer who presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the cervix. She underwent radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and then received postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation. The authors state that small cell carcinoma of the cervix is aggressive with poor prognosis and that optimal treatment remains unsettled.

Key findings
  • Patient: 47-year-old woman with prior breast cancer presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the cervix.
  • Treatment reported: radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by adjuvant chemoradiation.
  • Authors' conclusion: small cell carcinoma of the cervix is aggressive and has poor prognosis; optimal treatment remains unsettled.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; Abstract does not report clinical outcome, follow-up duration, or treatment response.; No control group or comparative data.; Limited clinical and pathological detail provided in the abstract..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Human · observationalReported negativeLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 15

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma in Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses: 15 Cases From a Single Center

Ear, nose, & throat journal · Apr 2024 · retrospective case series

nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (small cell carcinoma)

This retrospective case series analyzed clinical data from 15 patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses who received surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Most patients presented at an advanced stage (73% stage III/IV); 2 patients were alive more than 6 years and 5 patients died with a median follow-up of 11 months. Nearly half experienced tumor recurrence and/or distant metastasis, and the authors report that long-term cure rates are generally low.

Reported effects: sample_size 15, n=15 · patients_alive_>6_years 2, n=15 · +4 more

Studied with: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy.

Key findings
  • Clinical data of 15 patients with primary SCC in nasal cavity and sinuses were analyzed retrospectively.
  • All patients were treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
  • Of the 15 patients, 2 patients are alive for more than 6 years, and 5 patients died after the median follow-up period (11 months).
  • 73% presented at stage III or IV.
  • Nearly half of patients have tumor recurrence and/or distant metastasis.
  • Authors state SCC of nasal cavity and sinuses often invades surrounding tissues and long-term curative rate is generally low.
Limitations: Small sample size (n=15).; Retrospective, single-center design.; No control or comparison group reported.; Short median follow-up (11 months) for many patients, limiting long-term outcome assessment.; Limited generalizability due to rarity and single-center series..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed

ReviewInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum-An Unexpected Diagnosis: Current Treatment Options for a Rare and Aggressive Entity

The American surgeon · Dec 2023

small cell carcinoma of the rectumrectal small cell carcinoma

This brief report reviews current treatment options for rectal small cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive subtype. The authors note that management generally mirrors treatment for small cell lung cancer (chemotherapy, radiation, and immune modulators) and emphasize a need for large-center clinical trials and prospective studies to determine optimal regimens.

Key findings
  • Rectal small cell carcinoma is rare and aggressive and presents a difficult surgical problem.
  • Current treatment approaches for this disease tend to mirror small cell lung cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immune modulators.
  • There is no consensus on an optimal treatment regimen for this disease.
  • The authors highlight a significant need for large-center clinical trials and prospective studies to establish best treatments.
Limitations: This is a brief report/review and does not present new primary patient-level data.; No consensus or definitive regimen is identified in the report.; The rarity of the disease is noted, implying limited available evidence and likely small published series..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed

Case reportInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Breast: An Approach to Medical and Surgical Management

Cureus · Oct 2023 · case report

primary small cell carcinoma of the breast

This is a single-patient case report of a 55-year-old woman diagnosed with primary small cell carcinoma of the breast. Imaging (MRI and PET) showed no metastatic disease. She underwent two lumpectomies with neoadjuvant chemotherapy given between procedures because of recurrent positive margins, then ultimately a left mastectomy followed by postoperative radiation. The authors highlight the management challenges and the lack of standardized treatment protocols for this rare tumor.

Studied with: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.

Key findings
  • Primary small cell carcinoma of the breast is rare and aggressive.
  • Biopsy showed poorly differentiated neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma.
  • MRI and PET imaging excluded metastatic disease in this patient.
  • The patient had recurrent positive margins after lumpectomy, received neoadjuvant chemotherapy between lumpectomies, and ultimately underwent left mastectomy.
  • Postoperative radiation therapy was administered after mastectomy.
  • The report emphasizes the need for standardized treatment models for PSCCB patients.
Limitations: Single-case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; No details provided on chemotherapy regimen, doses, or timing.; No quantitative outcomes reported (no follow-up duration, recurrence status, or survival data).; No control or comparator; observational description only..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Animal studyReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 2 · animal

Exportin 1 inhibition prevents neuroendocrine transformation through SOX2 down-regulation in lung and prostate cancers

Science translational medicine · Aug 2023

lung adenocarcinomaprostate adenocarcinomasmall cell carcinoma (lung and prostate)

The study examined exportin 1 (XPO1) in lung and prostate adenocarcinomas and tested the XPO1 inhibitor selinexor in cell lines and xenograft/PDX models. Selinexor prevented neuroendocrine (NE) transformation in TP53/RB1-inactivated prostate adenocarcinoma xenografts, extended response to osimertinib in a lung cancer PDX with mixed histology, and sensitized NE-transformed PDXs to standard cytotoxic drugs; ectopic SOX2 expression reversed selinexor's prevention of the NE phenotype.

Studied with: enzalutamide, osimertinib, standard cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Key findings
  • Exportin 1 was up-regulated in lung and prostate pretransformation adenocarcinomas.
  • Exportin 1 was up-regulated after genetic inactivation of TP53 and RB1 in lung and prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines, with increased sensitivity to selinexor in vitro.
  • Exportin 1 inhibition with selinexor prevented neuroendocrine transformation in multiple TP53/RB1-inactivated prostate adenocarcinoma xenograft models treated with enzalutamide.
  • Selinexor extended response to the EGFR inhibitor osimertinib in a lung cancer transformation patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model exhibiting combined adenocarcinoma/SCLC histology.
  • Ectopic SOX2 expression restored the enzalutamide-promoted NE phenotype in adenocarcinoma-to-NE transformation xenograft models despite selinexor treatment, implicating SOX2 down-regulation in selinexor's effect.
  • Selinexor sensitized NE-transformed lung and prostate small cell carcinoma PDXs to standard cytotoxic agents.
Limitations: Findings are preclinical (cell lines, xenografts, and PDX models) with no clinical trial data reported in the abstract.; Abstract does not report sample sizes, dosing details, or safety/toxicity data for selinexor in these models.; Results in animal and in vitro models may not translate to patient outcomes..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Browse all studies mentioning Small Cell Carcinoma →

Where the evidence is

What has been studied, and how strong it is, by topic. A dashed cell means no studies were found for that combination — a gap, not evidence of no effect. Open a row to see its studies.

CompoundHuman evidenceMechanismSafetyTrial
Etoposide————
Carboplatin————
Durvalumab————
Cisplatin————

Study mix

41 published studies by what they were done in. Lab and animal findings often do not carry over to people.

7 Human2 Animal1 Lab31 Review/other
Reported directionReported positive7Mixed results9Reported negative10Inconclusive15

Evidence at a glance: compounds studied in Small Cell Carcinoma

A deterministic grade of what published studies report for each: strength of evidence, the reported direction, and the largest credible effect, strongest-evidence first. This summarizes findings; it is not a claim that anything works.

EtoposideInsufficient evidenceReported negative

No primary experimental studies yet.

Largest credible effect: time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1 PMID 40129783

Most authoritative study: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

No human studies yet · Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 3 studies · All studies are small (n < 30).
CarboplatinInsufficient evidenceMixed results

No primary experimental studies yet.

Largest credible effect: time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1 PMID 40129783

Most authoritative study: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

No human studies yet · Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 2 studies · All studies are small (n < 30).
DurvalumabInsufficient evidenceMixed results

No primary experimental studies yet.

Largest credible effect: time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1 PMID 40129783

Most authoritative study: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver treated with chemotherapy and durvalumab

No human studies yet · Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 2 studies · All studies are small (n < 30).
CisplatinInsufficient evidenceReported negative

No primary experimental studies yet.

Most authoritative study: Prostate small cell carcinoma and skin metastases: a rare entity

No human studies yet · No numeric effect sizes reported · Based on a single study.

What the research shows for Small Cell Carcinoma

A plain-language summary of the reviewed studies OncoForge tracks for Small Cell Carcinoma. It reports what those studies described, not a claim that any compound or therapy helps or harms Small Cell Carcinoma. Most of this evidence is early, and findings often conflict.

  • These studies report that small cell carcinomas arising at different anatomical sites are rare and heterogeneous, and available data are limited and fragmented across sites.
  • A review of small cell carcinoma of the bladder reports that although the tumor is histologically similar to small cell lung cancer, molecular features may align more closely with urothelial carcinoma and it may arise from preexisting urothelial tumors; evidence supporting site-specific management is limited.
  • A narrative review that included rare malignant ovarian tumors (including small cell types) summarizes pathology, clinical presentation, and treatment recommendations but emphasizes the heterogeneity of these tumors and the limited strength of the evidence base.
  • A retrospective case series of 15 patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses found most patients presented with advanced-stage disease and described use of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but sample size was small and outcome data are limited.

Supportive & alternative options discussed

  • Exercise / prehabilitation: Also discussed as a supportive option for people with small cell carcinomas to help maintain physical function and quality of life during or after treatment.
  • Mind–body (MBSR / CBT): Also discussed as a supportive option for coping with symptoms, stress, and quality-of-life concerns associated with cancer and its treatment.
  • Acupuncture: Also discussed as a supportive option to help manage treatment-related symptoms such as pain or nausea.

What we don’t know yet

  • What systemic therapy regimens (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) are optimal for site-specific small cell carcinomas remains undefined due to lack of prospective randomized trials.
  • Which molecular or prognostic biomarkers reliably guide therapy selection or predict outcomes across different anatomic sites is unclear.
  • Long-term survival, recurrence patterns, and quality-of-life outcomes are poorly characterized because most data come from small retrospective series and reviews.
  • The best sequencing or combination of surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy for different small cell carcinoma sites has not been established.
  • Because these tumors are rare and heterogeneous, there is a lack of standardized, high-quality evidence to support uniform management across sites.
Overall, evidence is limited and consists mainly of narrative reviews and small retrospective case series, so these studies do not provide robust, generalizable conclusions about management or outcomes.

Clinical trials in Small Cell Carcinoma

67 ongoing · 71 completed · tracked from ClinicalTrials.gov. Recruiting is not the same as proven, and completed is not the same as positive — read the results. Not a recommendation.

Completed
29 stopped (terminated / withdrawn / suspended)

Search all trials on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Getting care & support

Nonprofit / Gov

Practical, vetted help for Small Cell Carcinoma — advocacy, paying for treatment, second opinions, and caregivers.

If you’re struggling emotionally, you don’t have to wait.

Advocacy & community

No dedicated organization for this specific cancer is curated yet — these general organizations can help in the meantime.

Financial help

  • PAN Foundation ↗ — Copay assistance funds by diagnosis (funds open and close as money allows). · status changes often — check the fund’s site
  • HealthWell Foundation ↗ — Copay and premium assistance funds by disease. · status changes often — check the fund’s site
  • CancerCare — financial assistance ↗ — Limited grants plus free financial counseling. · status changes often — check the fund’s site
  • Family Reach ↗ — Help with everyday living costs (rent, transport, food) during treatment. · status changes often — check the fund’s site
  • NeedyMeds ↗ — Searchable directory of drug patient-assistance and discount programs. · status changes often — check the fund’s site
What you’ll typically need to apply
  • Your diagnosis and, if you have it, the specific drug/treatment name (from your care team).
  • Insurance details — your member ID card, or a note that you're uninsured (some funds require active insurance, some don't).
  • Proof of income and household size (recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a benefits letter) — most funds are income-based.
  • Your prescriber's contact information; some programs need the clinic to submit part of the application.
  • Apply early and re-check: funds open and close as money is available, so a closed fund may reopen.

General guidance — each program sets its own eligibility. Confirm requirements on the program’s site.

Help paying for the medicines on this page

Second opinions

Caregiver support

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