Objectives: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most rapidly progressive form of lung cancer, and delays in treatment may increase the tumor burden. We determined the time from abnormal radiograph to diagnosis and treatment for patients with SCLC and investigated the effect of emergent presentation, stage, radiographic findings, and race on these measures and survival.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical data for 45 consecutive evaluable patients at a single institution diagnosed as having SCLC.