UK data show that one in 13 men and one in 23 women will develop lung cancer.
New cases
The largest number of new cases is seen in countries of the Russian Federation, as there is a high proportion of smokers.
Expensive
The average cost of treating a patient with SCLC has been estimated as €17,000 (2001).
Hospitalisation accounts for almost 50% of the costs of care and chemotherapy for 13%.
Chemotherapy can improve symptoms and quality of life. It has some effect on the length of survival but currently is rarely curative.
Consequently, assessment of the cost-effectiveness of this treatment is particularly important.