Randomized Study of Cisplatin-Etoposide Versus an Etoposide Regimen Without Cisplatin in Extensive Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histological or cytological diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer
* Extensive disease (i.e. a disease with distant metastases or that cannot be included in a single irradiation field incorporating primary tumour, mediastinum and supraclavicular lymph node(s))
* Availability for participating in the detailed follow-up of the protocol
* Presence of an evaluable or measurable lesion
* Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery
* Performance status \< 60 on the Karnofsky scale
* A history of prior malignant tumor, except non-melanoma skin cancer or in situ carcinoma of the cervix or a cured cancer (defined as a disease-free interval \> 5 years)
* White blood cells \< 4000/mm3
* Platelets \< 100000/mm3
* Serum bilirubin \> 1.5 mg/100 ml
* Serum creatinine \> 1.3 mg/100 ml and creatinine clearance \<60 ml/min
* Recent myocardial infarction (less than 3 months prior to date of diagnosis)
* Congestive cardiac failure or cardiac arrhythmia uncontrolled by medical treatment
* Uncontrolled infectious disease
* Serious medical or psychological factors which may prevent adherence to the treatment schedule