Our meta-analysis of individual patient data suggests no differences in efficacy between cisplatin and carboplatin in the first-line treatment of SCLC, but there are differences in the toxicity profile.

Carboplatin plus paclitaxel combination chemotherapy is effective in patients with predominantly nodal/pleural metastases of unknown primary carcinoma and in women with peritoneal carcinomatosis. However, in patients with liver, bone, or multiple organ involvement, the combination offers limited benefit. The investigation of novel treatment approaches is highly warranted for this group of patients.