Steffens CC, et al. - IIn this descriptive analysis, researchers analyzed prospectively documented data on systemic first-, second- and third-line treatment, number of treatment lines and outcome parameters of 432 patients treated for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by medical oncologists in Germany. From 87 sites, patients were recruited in the prospective German clinical cohort study TLK (Tumour Registry Lung Cancer), with 3 years of follow-up. Platinum-based combination therapy was used for first-line treatment of most of the cases (93%). More frequent use of carboplatin plus etoposide vs cisplatin plus etoposide (46 vs 35%) was reported; older (68 vs 63 years) patients who more often presented with poorer performance status (17 vs 11% ECOG ≥ 2) were treated with carboplatin. Similar response and survival rates were noted with both regimens. For carboplatin plus etoposide and for cisplatin plus etoposide, the estimated median first-line overall survival (OS) was 10.2 months and 12.2 months, respectively. For the first time, prospectively documented patients with extensive-stage SCLC in routine clinical practice were examined. The survival times and response rates documented were in line with the respective measures from large prospective trials.