skip to main content

Bronchial hyper-responsiveness — SCE Respiratory MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardRespiratory PhysiologyBronchial hyper-responsivenessSCE Respiratory

A patient with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, WHO performance status 1, has completed first-line chemoradiotherapy without progression. Which prophylactic cranial irradiation schedule is recommended by NICE?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Offer 25 Gy in 10 fractions after confirming absence of progression

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as C · C = shown as D · A = shown as E

A is correct. NICE recommends prophylactic cranial irradiation at 25 Gy in 10 fractions for limited-stage SCLC with WHO performance status 0–2 when disease has not progressed after first-line treatment. This is distinct from therapeutic whole-brain radiotherapy for established metastases and from stereotactic treatment of visible lesions. It is not delivered before systemic response is known, and waiting for neurological symptoms forfeits the preventive intent in an eligible responder.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng122/chapter/Management