Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine tumour that can metastasise early, may show resistance to systemic treatment, and has a poor prognosis. No satisfactory progress has been made in the prognosis with current treatment methods up to the present day. In this study, the prognosis and factors affecting prognosis in SCLC were investigated in light of current literature from a surgical perspective, and predictions were attempted to be made to lay the groundwork for personalised treatment approaches. Compared to non-small cell lung cancer, the number of studies is quite limited. Most of the surgical case series were conducted in the past, retrospectively, and involved a small number of patients. Advances in immunotherapy are promising. In the early stages, resection and subsequent chemotherapy may be the main treatment.