ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Europe, accounting for 334,800 individuals dying from the disease in 2006. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 15-18% of prevalent cases, and is strongly associated with smoking. While increased public awareness of harmful effects of smoking has resulted in a decreased lung cancer-specifi c mortality in the Western world, and a likely future fall in incidence due to successful smoking cessation programs, smoking is an increasing problem in Asia, and will still result in a signifi cant number of patients in years to come. The SCLC incidence in the United States between 1973 and 2000 decreased due to fewer smokers and the use of low-tar fi lter cigarettes. However, only a modest improvement in survival has been observed in the last 30 years.1
