Effectiveness of small cell lung cancer vs non-small cell lung cancer chemotherapy regimens on pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Objective The treatment of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is inconclusive, We evaluated whether advanced LCNEC should be treated similarly to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Total of 23 patients were diagnosed as advanced LCNEC retrospectively examined and divided into SCLC regimen group (n=13) and NSCLC regimen group (n=10) according to first-line chemotherapeutic regimens. Results Most patients were male with a median age of 62.5 years. The survival rates in SCLC regimen group and NSCLC regimen group were 8.2% and 7.1% (P=0.27), respectively. Conclusion Regarding chemotherapy for advanced LCNEC, SCLC regimen is superior to NSCLC.