In patients with limited disease and who have
responded well to chemotherapy, sequential
consolidation chest radiotherapy is offered.
Occasionally, for patients with limited disease
and good performance status, a concurrent
regimen of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is
offered. In patients with SCLC who are ECOG
PS 2 or better at the end of chemotherapy,
prophylactic cranial irradiation is recommended
since the brain is a common site where cells can
travel to and remain dormant for a period of
time. Prophylactic cranial irradiation reduces
the risk of brain metastases developing in the
future (Lim et al 2010, NICE 2011).