The mission of the DCI Small Cell Cancer Center is to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care with rapid access to novel therapies, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary expertise, and to advance the field through research. The center has five core pillars:

1. Patient-facing excellence: rapid deployment of breakthrough therapies, streamlined care pathways, and faster clinical trial enrollment
2. Research leadership: innovation through clinical trials and translational science
3. Multidisciplinary integration: coordinated care across all relevant specialties
4. Community impact: serving patients locally and regionally while advancing the field
5. Network expansion: extending COE-level care across the Duke Cancer Network
 

Who Should Be Screened for Lung Cancer?

Small cell lung cancer may be detected through lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan. Screening is recommended for individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

• Age: 50 years or older
• Smoking history: At least a 20 pack-year smoking history
• Current or past smoking: Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years

If you meet these criteria, schedule a screening at Duke Health. 

The DCI Small Cell Cancer Center is designed to integrate clinical care and research so patients can access promising treatment options as efficiently as possible. Every eligible patient is systematically screened for clinical trials through a process coordinated by the nurse navigator, while a dedicated research program lead oversees protocol activation, biobanking, and patient accrual across specialties. The center also provides dedicated statistical support for protocol development and correlative analyses. Together, these resources support streamlined care pathways that allow newly approved therapies, such as tarlatamab, to reach appropriate patients quickly. For a complete listing of our available clinical trials please visit the Duke Clinical Trials Directory.

We know that treating cancer means treating the whole person -- body and mind -- not just the disease. Our comprehensive support services range from minimizing the side effects of treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological side effects of diagnosis and treatment.

Lung Cancer Screening
Cancer Support Services 
Pulmonary Rehabilitation