title: [Clinical manifestation and radiological features of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) includes 10-15% of primary lung tumors and it is very aggressive neoplasm. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiological and clinical features of SCLC and its spread.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective analysis included 31 patients (18 women, 13 men, mean age: 68.2 +/- 8.34 years).The extensive disease (ED) in most patients was present. 25 patients (80,6%) reported habitual cigarette smoking. Localization of primary tumor, metastases, clinical symptoms and main blood abnormalities were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common locations of the primary tumor were: the lung hilus--15 (48.4%), the upper lobe of lung--6 (19.3%) and mediastinum--3 (9.7%). In most cases, mediastinal, subcarinal--both (41.9%) and hilus--(32.2%) lymph nodes were involved. Distant metastases were present in 20 patients (64.5%) at the moment of diagnosis. The most common locations of metastases were: liver--12 (60%), lungs--7 (35%), suprarenal glands--6 (30%), bones--3 (15%) and CNS--3 (15%). The most common symptoms were: cough (77.4%), weakness (51.6%), dyspnea (45.2%), chest pain (41.9%) and the weight loss (30%). Superior vena cava syndrome occurred in 4 patients (13%). The symptoms lasted an average 115 days, but the most persistent were: cough (216 days) and dyspnea (150 days). The main blood tests abnormalities were increased activities of: CRP (mean 63.4 mg/L), AspAT (65U), LDH (1852.7 U/l) and D-dimer (1892.5 microg/l).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCLC was mainly manifested in CT as central mass lung involving hilus or mediastinum. In most cases, distant metastases were present at the moment of diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Wydziału Lekarskiego Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Studenckie Koło Naukowe "Alveolus", Warszawa. tom_sud@o2.pl
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suduł
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domagała-Kulawik
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed