Abstract: Objective : To research for indication, method and clinical effect of the combined therapy on small cell lung cancer(SCLC) with surgery as the major approach. Methods : The clinical findings in 845 cases with SCLC were retrospectively analyzed, among which 573 cases with the lesion of extensive stage were treated by chemo-radio therapy, 272 of limited stage were divided into three groups: 48 cases were treated by surgery with post-operative chemo/radio therapy, 174 by surgery with pre- and postperative chemo/radiotherapy and 50 by chemo/radio therapy only for the control. Results : The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates in the extensive-stage group were 13%, 6.8% and 0% respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the limited-stage group treated with chemo/radiotherapy only were 74.2%, 31.2% and 4.3% and the group treated by surgery with postoperative chemo/radiotherapy were 75%, 46.6% and 31.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups with 3- and 5-year survival rates but not the 1-year survival rate. Otherwise, in 174 cases with the limited-stage lesion treated by surgery combining with pre- and postoperative chemo/radiotherapy, the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 88.4%, 58.9%, 46.5% and 11.5%, which were significantly different from that of the other two groups. The operations performed were neurectomy, lobectomy, broncho-pulmonary artery sleeve resection, without intraoperative mortality. The main causes affecting the long-term survival of the patients were distant metastases of cranium, liver and bone marrow. Conclusion : The SCLC, no matter in extensive or limited stage, is responsible to chemo-radiotherapy. The patients with the limited-stage SCLC might be benefited if a rational surgical treatment with pre- and postoperative adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is conducted.