Small cell lung cancer in a young non-smoking woman: A distinct disease profile highlighting the need for molecular characterization

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is strongly associated with smoking, and its occurrence in non-smoking patients, particularly in young women, is rare and poorly understood. We report a 39-year-old non-smoking female who presented with extensive-stage SCLC with liver and brain metastases. No history of tobacco exposure, chronic illness, or familial cancer predisposition was found. The patient was treated with carboplatin and etoposide, followed by cranial radiotherapy, and remains under treatment. Non-smoking SCLC represents a distinct and underexplored subset with rapid disease progression, limited therapeutic options, and high mortality. Further genomic profiling studies are needed to identify potential driver alterations and guide personalized therapy in this rare and aggressive cancer subtype.