Lung cancer : journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly chemosensitive but up to 70% of patients with limited disease and more than 90% of patients with extensive disease will relapse after first-line treatment. There are several standard chemotherapy regimens used for second-line treatment yet the prognosis for patients requiring this treatment remains poor. ⋯ Brain metastases are common in SCLC. Topotecan crosses the blood-brain barrier and shows promise for the management of brain metastases.