Changing Epidemiology of Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the United States Over the Last 30 Years: Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End Results Database

Our analysis indicates that the incidence of SCLC is decreasing in the United States, and only modest improvements have been seen in survival over the last 30 years. Possible explanations for the decreasing incidence include the decrease in the percentage of smokers and the change to low-tar filter cigarettes. Despite trends toward modest improvement in survival, the outcome remains very poor.